Kidney Transplant Program

Experts at the Kidney Transplant Program at the NYU Langone Transplant Institute provide world-class care with superior outcomes to people in need of a kidney transplant. We are the highest-volume program in New York State for kidneys from both deceased and living donors.

No. 1 Kidney Transplant Program in New York State

Among high-volume programs in New York State, we have the highest transplant rate ratio and shortest time to transplant, according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). Our one-year organ and patient survival rate is 100 percent for living donors, and we exceed the expected and national average for both one-year graft and patient survival rate for people who receive a kidney from a deceased donor.

Our program is proud to participate in the Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model, a program developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This model aims to increase access to life-saving transplants for patients living with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Learn more about the IOTA Model.

Our modern facilities include state-of-the-art testing sites, dedicated inpatient surgical and intensive care units, outpatient physician offices, and single-occupancy rooms for all patients.

We conduct kidney transplant evaluations and provide pre- and post-transplant outpatient care at our Manhattan location, on Long Island at NYU Langone Surgical Associates—1300 Franklin Avenue, and in Brooklyn at 9920 Fourth Avenue, Suite 320.

We provide care for children at the Pediatric Kidney Transplant Program through Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone.

When a Kidney Transplant Is Needed

People are born with two kidneys, one on each side of the spine. Kidneys are responsible for filtering blood and removing excess fluid and waste products from the body, which then leave the body as urine.

The kidneys also regulate blood pressure, ensure electrolyte and acid–base balance, and aid in the production of new bone tissue and red blood cells.

When kidney function is impaired, as in acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease, the kidney can no longer perform these activities. This puts a person at risk for medical complications that can include high blood pressure, swelling, life-threatening electrolyte imbalances, anemia, and bone loss. Kidney disease may progress to the point where dialysis, a treatment that uses a machine to remove fluid and waste from the blood, is needed. While on dialysis or even before dialysis is started, your doctor may recommend a transplant.

While you wait for a donor kidney, you have regular appointments at our transplant clinic with our doctors, who collaborate with your referring physician to ensure continuity in your medical care.

Kidney Transplant Evaluation and Selection Criteria

To determine if a transplant is right for you, our transplant team will complete a comprehensive evaluation.

What to Expect During the Evaluation

Your evaluation begins at your first visit. Before a decision is made about whether you can be placed on the transplant waiting list, you may need to complete:

• A medical history review and physical exam with a transplant physician or surgeon
• A review of your medical records from your other providers
• Blood tests, imaging, heart testing, and other evaluations based on your health needs
• A meeting with a social worker to discuss your home situation, support system, emotional health, and ability to follow treatment and post-transplant care
• Visits with other specialists, if needed, such as cardiology, pulmonology, oncology, infectious disease, or mental health providers
• Financial counseling and an insurance review related to transplant care

How a Decision Is Made

After your evaluation is complete, the Transplant Selection Committee will review your medical and other evaluation findings. The team will then decide whether a kidney transplant is a safe and appropriate option for you.

Factors That May Affect Your Eligibility

Some issues may delay or prevent approval for a transplant, including:

• A serious health condition that could make surgery or recovery unsafe
• An infection that has not been fully treated
• Active alcohol or substance use that requires additional treatment or recovery time
• Not having a clear care plan or adequate support after transplant
• Difficulty following medical instructions or attending follow-up visits
• Not completing required tests or appointments on time
• Repeatedly missing or canceling appointments

How You Will Be Notified

You will receive the committee’s decision in writing.

• If additional steps are needed, we will explain what to do next.
• If you are approved, we will review the next steps in the transplant process.
• If you are not approved by our program, we will notify you of the reason.

Our Commitment

Decisions about transplant eligibility are based on medical and program criteria and follow applicable laws. Decisions are not based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

Forms of Kidney Transplant

Kidney donations come from either living donors, who consent to the donation, or from deceased persons, whose families consent to donate the person’s organs. Deceased donors are the most common source of kidneys for transplant.

In either situation, the organ is removed from the donor and placed into the recipient by our team of highly skilled transplant specialists. Our medical team supervises the recovery of living donors to ensure they can quickly return to an active lifestyle.

After transplant, all patients are followed closely in our outpatient transplant clinic.