Organ Transplantation

What is Organ Transplantation

Organ transplantation is a surgery to remove a failing organ from a sick person (recipient) and replace it with a healthy organ from another person (donor).

If you are the recipient of a donor organ, it means that your health care provider has determined that there is no chance your own organ will recover (end-stage organ failure).

You can sign up with your state donor registry to donate your organs upon your death. You can also become a living donor if you donate one of your kidneys or part of your liver to a family member, friend, or anyone on a waiting list.

What organs can be transplanted?

Organs that can be transplanted include:

  • Kidneys.
  • Liver.
  • Heart.
  • Lungs.
  • Pancreas.
  • Intestine.

When is an organ transplant needed?

A person may need an organ transplant if they have an organ that is failing and cannot be restored to health. A health care provider will determine if a person has end-stage organ failure. Some common diseases that lead to end-stage organ failure include:

  • Heart diseases.
  • Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis).
  • Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).
  • Liver infection (hepatitis).
  • Diabetes.
  • Kidney diseases.

How does a person get on an organ transplant wait list?

To get an organ transplant, you must be put on a national transplant waiting list. The list is managed through the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN list). To get on the list:

  • Your health care provider must give you a referral to a transplant center.
  • You must be evaluated by a transplant team at a transplant hospital.
  • The transplant team will decide if you are a candidate for a transplant.
  • If you are accepted, you will be placed on the national waiting list.

Your health care provider can help you select a transplant program that meets your needs. Things to consider include:

  • Hospital location.
  • Insurance coverage.
  • Payment options.

Is there any testing needed for organ transplantation?

The biggest risk with an organ transplant is that your body will reject the transplanted organ. This means that your body’s defense system (immune system) may react to the new organ and send proteins (antibodies) to attack it. Testing is done for both the donor and the recipient before the transplant to make sure that they match as closely as possible (histocompatibility testing).

The types of testing depend on the organ being transplanted. The most important tests for both the recipient and the donor are:

  • ABO blood typing.
    • These blood tests indicate the blood type of the donor and the recipient.
    • The blood types must be the same or compatible.
  • Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing.
    • Antigens are substances that trigger the immune system to produce antibodies.
    • HLAs are found on the surface of white blood cells and other cells of the body. They can be evaluated with a blood test.
    • The closer the donor and recipient antigens match, the lower the risk for organ rejection.
  • Crossmatching.
    • This test mixes a blood sample from both the donor and the recipient.
    • If mixing the blood produces antibodies, the transplant should not be done.
    • This test may be done several times and repeated 48 hours before the transplant.

How do I sign up to become an organ donor?

You can save a life by becoming a donor. There are many more people on the OPTN list than there are organs available. There is no age limit to become an organ donor. If you are younger than 18, you need a parent’s permission.

You may not be eligible for donation if you have:

  • HIV.
  • Another active infection.
  • Active cancer.

Otherwise, it is easy to become a donor:

  • Tell your family and your health care provider that you want to become an organ donor.
  • Fill out an organ donor card or indicate that you are a donor on the back of your driver’s license. Carry these with you.
  • Make note of your wish to be an organ donor in legal documents, including your:
    • Living will.
    • Advance directive.
    • Power of attorney.
    • Health care proxy.

Learn more about becoming an organ donor by signing up and getting a donor card at www.organdonor.gov  

Can the donor family meet the recipient?

If you are a donor family, you may want to meet the recipient of your loved one’s organ. If you are a recipient, you may want to meet and thank your donor’s family. However, transplant centers are required to protect the identity of both donors and recipients. If both sides agree that they would like to meet, a meeting or communication can be arranged.

How much will organ donation cost my family?

It does not cost your family anything if you donate an organ. All costs related to the donation are paid by recipients and their health insurance company. Your family is responsible only for funeral expenses and the medical care provided before death.

Summary

  • Organ transplantation is a surgery to remove a failing organ from a sick person (recipient) and replace it with a healthy organ from another person (donor).
  • To get an organ transplant, you must be put on a national transplant waiting list.
  • The biggest risk with an organ transplant is that your body will reject the transplanted organ.
  • Testing is done for both the donor and the recipient before the transplant to make sure that they match as closely as possible.
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