Failure of the New Kidney Allocation System in a Specific Ethnic Group

IntroductionThe Kidney Allocation System (KAS) implemented on December 4, 2014, was expected to improve kidney transplant list wait-time and allocate more kidney to high cPRA patients. This study aims to demonstrate outcomes after the implementation of the KAS in a Hispanic transplant center. MethodsRetrospective study from a prospectively maintained database from a single-transplant center. Included all DDKT from July 2013 to June 2016. Compare and analyze DDKT selection and outcomes before and after KAS implementation. ResultsThe overall number of kidney transplants performed during this period was 220. All of the patients were Hispanic. Included 50.5% Pre-KAS and 49.5% Post-KAS. Pre-KAS group had a significantly shorter waiting-time list than the post-KAS group, 900.05 vs 1126.75 respectively. EPTS less than 20% significantly improved in the Post-KAS group compared to the Pre-KAS group, 41.3% vs 20.9% respectively. No differences observed in KDPI, 1-year graft failure, or 1-year mortality rates. ConclusionThis might be the first Hispanic only cohort evaluating the effects of KAS on a moderate volume kidney transplant center. The new system increased the wait-time list by approximately 25%, and it did not improve graft quality, graft failure, or mortality rates.