Objectives: Transplantation using non-heart beating donors (NHBD) is one way of reducing the global kidney shortage. Unfortunately the large warm ischaemic insult sustained by the graft leads to a high rate of delayed graft function (DGF). We have investigated the use of a regimen utilising an Il-2r blocker (DZB) in place of Tacrolimus for the initial post-operative immunosupression with the aim of reducing the incidence of DGF.
Methods: Prospective randomised controlled trial based in two NHBD UK centres (Leicester and Newcastle). 51 patients were enrolled over two years and randomised into two treatment arms: 1. DZB/ MMF/ Steroids (Tacrolimus started when creatinine dropped below 350µmol/l) 2. Tacro/ MMF/ Steroids.
Results: There was one death, during the study period, in a patient who had had a non-functioning graft removed. The overall incidence of immediate function (IF) was higher than expected (28%), no significant difference was found in the incidence of immediate graft function between the two groups (35% group 1 and 22% group 2). Sub-group analysis however has shown a significant advantage for the delayed introduction of Tacrolimus for machine perfused grafts (IF: 53% vs 13%, χ2p=0.015). There was no difference in the rate of rejection.
Conclusions: The delayed introduction of Tacrolimus reduces the incidence of DGF in machine-perfused NHBD kidney transplantation.

Keywords: Asystolic Donors, Kidney Transplantation, Daclizumab, Delayed Graft Function