Alternative Mechanisms For Kidney Exchange - Could More Swedish Patients Receive a New Kidney?

Abstract: Patients who are in need of a new kidney and who have a living donor may not be able to receive a kidney from the donor because of blood- or tissue-type incompatibilities. If patient-donor pairs exchange kidneys, more kidney transplants can be performed. In Sweden, no system for kidney exchange exists. This thesis investigates how many more Swedish kidney patients could receive a new kidney if a system for kidney exchange would be organized. Simulations based on a priority mechanism are conducted in order to answer this question. The results suggest that by using a priority mechanism, more Swedish patients could receive a new kidney.