Storing Donor Kidneys at Warmer Temperature to Reduce Damage

This trial is testing a new way to store donor kidneys before transplant surgery. Instead of the standard practice of storing kidneys on ice (4°C), researchers want to see if storing them at a slightly warmer temperature of 10°C can reduce damage to the organ and help it work better after transplant. Early studies in other organs like lungs show promising results with this warmer storage method.

One in four people who receive a deceased donor kidney experiences delayed kidney function after transplant, which means they need dialysis for a while and may have worse long-term outcomes. Researchers believe this happens because the cold storage on ice actually causes damage to the kidney cells. This trial is testing whether a slightly warmer storage temperature can reduce that damage and prevent these complications.