Should the upper age limit for cadaveric kidney donors be changed?

In view of the persistent shortage of donor organs a retrospective study was performed to determine whether the upper age limit for cadaveric donors can be changed. As in many transplant centres the arbitrary age limit of 50 years is in use, we studied the results of transplantation of kidneys from donors over 50 years of age. Out of 5546 cadaveric kidneys, transplanted in the Eurotransplant area in the past ten years, 149 were from donors over 50 years of age. Apart from an increased early graft loss in the advanced age donor group, comparison of cumulative graft survival showed no negative influence of progressing donor age. The graft function, measured by creatinine clearance, was satisfactory. It is concluded that donors over 50 years of age can be a valuable source of cadaveric kidneys for transplantation. It seems justified to change the upper age limit for cadaveric kidney donors from 50 to 60 years of age, resulting in a considerable increase in the amount of potential donors.