Published online Sep 18, 2021. doi: 10.5500/wjt.v11.i9.388
Peer-review started: March 8, 2021
First decision: May 5, 2021
Revised: May 19, 2021
Accepted: September 1, 2021
Article in press: September 1, 2021
Published online: September 18, 2021
ABO blood group incompatibility (ABO-I) was historically considered an absolute contraindication to kidney transplantation due to the significant risk of acute antibody-mediated rejection and early graft loss. Nevertheless, the urge to minimize the gap between the candidates’ number on the waitlist for kidney transplants and the available kidney donors encourage investigation into finding ways to use organs from ABO-I kidney donors, especially in the era of using more potent immunosuppression therapies. This review aims to discuss a general overview of ABO-I kidney transplantation and the different protocols adopted by some transplant centers to meaningfully overcome this barrier.
Core Tip: The urge to minimize the gap between the candidates’ number on the waitlist for kidney transplants and the available kidney donors encouraged investigations into finding ways to use organs from ABO blood group incompatibility (ABO-I) kidney donors, especially in the era of using more potent immunosuppression therapies. In this review, we aim to discuss a general overview of ABO-I kidney transplantation and the different protocols adopted by some transplant centers to overcome this barrier.