Background: Although kidney transplantation prior to dialysis or preemptive kidney transplantation (PET) is still a controversial issue because of the paucity of clinical evidence to clarify the risks and benefits of PET, it is considered as a result of an evolution in thinking about chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PET at Cho Ray hospital.
Methods: Between March 2015 and May 2017, we have performed consecutive 180 renal transplants including, 20 patients in PET. PET is defined as the end stage of renal disease patient (GFR< 15 mL/min/1,73m2) without dialysis prior to the procedure.
Results: The prevalence of PET in our study was 11,1% (20/180). The graft survival and patient survival rates for all 20 preemptive recipients were both 100% up to the present. The mean follow-up time was 10,4±4,5 months (3-24 months), the average serum creatinine and eGFR (MDRD) at the 6th and 12th month were 1,3±0,16 (0,9-1,6) mg% and 1,25±0,2 (0,9-1,6) mg%, 58±9 (39-71) and 58±9,5 (37-73) ml/phút/1,73m2, respectively. We reported 1/20 (5%)  patient with complications of a hematoma, ureteral constriction, CMV infection, acute tubular necrosis, 1/20 (5%)  patient with new onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation and parvovirus B19 infection; 15/20 (75%) patients with remaining  hypertension after kidney transplantation. All of our PET patients continued normal professional activities or education before and after transplantation.
Conclusions: We suggested that for both medical and socioeconomic reasons, PET should be considered as the best treatment modality for eligible ESRD patients.
Key words: preemptive kidney transplantation