BACKGROUND: Brain death initiates hemodynamic, immunological, and hormonal changes that potentially compromise organ quality for transplantation. Therefore, it is generally believed that organs should be procured as soon as possible after the declaration of brain death. However, conflicting data exist regarding the impact of brain death duration on long-term graft function and survival.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The effect of duration of brain death on graft survival and function of 1869 adult transplant recipients receiving kidneys from deceased donors after brain death was analyzed, using relevant donor and recipient characteristics and allograft related factors.

RESULTS: Duration of brain death was a significant predictor for long-term graft survival, whilst there was no significant effect of duration of brain death on the incidence of delayed graft function or acute graft rejection after kidney transplantation. After dividing the study population into a “short durBD” (<10.6 hours) group and a “long durBD” (>10.6 hours) group, the 15-year graft survival estimates were significantly higher and the serum creatinine at 3 months after transplantation was significantly lower in the “long durBD” group.

CONCLUSIONS: Duration of brain death does not affect the incidence of delayed graft function or acute rejection after kidney transplantation. However, longer duration of brain death is associated with better kidney allograft function and survival.

Keywords: Brain Death, Delayed Graft Function, Graft Rejection, Kidney Transplantation, Follow-Up Studies, Graft Survival, Incidence, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Time Factors, Tissue Donors, Tissue and Organ Harvesting