Glossary of
Transplant Terms
acute tubular necrosis (ATN) - reversible damage to the renal
tubules that filter your blood and make urine. This damage causes the
transplanted kidney to have a delay in functioning. ATN may be caused by the
length of time the organ was stored before it was transplanted, the quality of
the organ itself, or by the anti-rejection medications.
anesthesia - medication given before transplant surgery which causes a
temporary loss of sensation and consciousness.
antibody - a protein made by your body that destroys foreign matter
antigen - a substance present on our white blood cells that has the
capacity to trigger an immune response.
anti-rejection medication - a medication that prevents kidney
rejection. Also called immunosuppressant medication.
arteriogram (angiogram) - an x-ray of your renal arteries that
reveals their size and shape. A dye is used in this process.
baseline labs - tests that are administered before transplant surgery.
Baseline labs allow the transplant physicians to compare whatever is being
measured, such as blood pressure or temperature, both before and after surgery.
biopsy - the removal of a small piece of renal tissue that is then
examined under a microscope to determine if rejection or ATN is taking place
bladder - a hollow organ that stores the urine received from your
kidneys. During urination, the bladder empties through a tube called the
urethra.
blood transfusion - the injection of donated blood into the bloodstream
of a recipient. One unit of blood is equal to approximately one pint of blood.
BUN - Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is a waste product usually excreted by
your kidneys. BUN values can rise when your kidneys are not working properly or
when you are dehydrated.
cadaver - deceased person
cadaveric - pertaining to a deceased person
CMV (Cytomegalovirus) - a common viral infection that affects the lungs
and other organs.
creatinine - a waste product normally found in your blood and urine
that is a good indicator of kidney function. Creatinine values rise when your
kidneys are not working properly.
crossmatch - a test that determines blood compatibility by mixing blood
samples from the donor and the recipient. A positive blood crossmatch means the
donor and recipient are not compatible for transplantation. A negative
blood crossmatch means they are compatible and the transplant workup may
proceed.
deceased donor - a person who recently died of causes unrelated to
kidney disease. The donor's cause of death will not affect the functioning of
the transplanted kidney. Either the donor or the donor's family has willingly
offered the kidney for transplantation.
deceased donor kidney - a kidney that has been surgically removed from a
cadaveric donor.
dialysis - the process of artificially cleansing the blood in persons
whose kidneys no longer function properly. Dialysis can be done either by
hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
edema - extra fluid in the body tissues. One example of edema may be
swollen ankles.
electrocardiogram (EKG) - records the electrical activity of the heart
electrolyte - a normal substance in your body that conducts
electricity. Electrolytes include calcium, chloride, phosphate, and potassium.
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) - the final stage or phase of kidney
disease
graft - the transplanted kidney
graft failure - the transplanted kidney stops functioning permanently
hemodialysis - a process that purifies your blood through a machine
often called an "artificial kidney."
histocompatibility - a term that reflects the similarity in the tissues
of the donor and recipient. This similarity will help reduce the chances of
rejection of the transplanted kidney.
HLA (human leukocyte antigens) system - a genetically determined series
of markers (antigens) present on human white blood cells (leukocytes) and on
tissues that are important in histocompatibility
hypertension - high blood pressure
immune response - the immune system's normal and expected reaction to any foreign matter in the body, including the transplanted kidney
immunosuppressant - a medication that prevents kidney rejection
incompatible - no similarity between the donor's and recipient's
blood type or kidneys
internist - a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and medical
treatment of adults. Subspecialties may include nephrology, hematology, and
immunology.
kidney - one of two bean-shaped organs located above the waist on
either side of the spine. Kidneys filter impurities from the blood, maintain the
body's fluid balance, and produce urine.
kidney transplant or transplantation - the surgical implantation or
insertion of a human donor kidney in a recipient. The donor kidney may come from
a deceased donor or from a living donor. A living donor may or may not be a blood
relative of the recipient.
laparoscopic surgery - a type of surgery that uses a tube containing a
tiny camera that allows the surgeon to see inside the abdominal cavity.
Incisions made during this type of surgery tend to be smaller than with
conventional types of surgery.
living donor (LD) - a person who willingly volunteers to give his/her
kidney. The donor may be a spouse, friend, or other person who is not a blood
relative of the recipient.
living-related donor (LRD) - a person who willingly volunteers to give
his/her kidney. The donor is a blood relative of the recipient.
nephrectomy - the surgical removal of a kidney
nephrologist - a physician who specializes in the medical treatment of
kidney disorders and who works with the transplant team to ensure optimal
function of your new kidney
peritoneal dialysis - a process that removes wastes from your body
using your peritoneal membrane (in your belly) as a filter
polycystic kidney disease - a type of kidney disease in which the
kidney contains many cysts
rejection - the immune system's normal and expected reaction to foreign matter in the body, including the transplanted kidney.
Rejection usually is treated with immunosuppressant medications.
renal - kidney
renal transplant - the surgical replacement of a non-functioning kidney
with a donor kidney. The donor kidney may come from a cadaver, a living-related
donor, or an unrelated living donor.
retroperitoneal -- the area of the body where the kidneys are located
tissue typing - a blood test performed prior to transplantation to
determine the histocompatibility of the potential donor and recipient
ultrasound - a procedure that uses silent sound waves to create
pictures of your kidney. An ultrasound may be used after transplant surgery to
ensure your transplanted kidney is working.
UNOS - United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). This organization
ensures that all patients have a fair chance to receive the organ they need. UNOS matches organ donors with recipients and manages the list for those
awaiting cadaveric transplant.
urethra - the tube that drains urine from your bladder to the outside
of your body
ureter - the tube that drains urine from your kidney to your bladder
urine - the fluid produced by the kidneys and stored in the bladder
urinary tract infection (UTI) - an infection in the urethra, ureters,
and/or bladder
urologist - a physician who specializes in the treatment of urinary
organs and tracts, such as the kidney, bladder, and urethra.
virus - a microscopic organism that causes infection
white blood cells - cells in the blood that fight infection
|
