Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42030296›Full record

ArticleClinical transplantation2026

Graft Embolization versus Nephrectomy in Patients with Graft Intolerance and Infection: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Mattheüs F Klaassen, Joost Otterspeer, Madelon van Agteren, Sebastiaan Heidt, Diederik Kimenai, Kay J Pieterman, Robert C Minnee, Annelies E de Weerd

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical transplantation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Mattheüs F KlaassenDepartment of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9481-4537
Joost OtterspeerDepartment of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Madelon van AgterenDepartment of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Sebastiaan HeidtDepartment of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6700-188X
Diederik KimenaiDivision of HPB and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8536-2083
Kay J PietermanDepartment of Radiology, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0578-6316
Robert C MinneeDivision of HPB and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9494-3717
Annelies E de WeerdDepartment of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5134-2025

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionAfter graft failure, kidney transplant recipients may develop immunological intolerance to the allograft left in situ. In such cases, surgical removal of the allograft is usually performed, but is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. A less invasive option is percutaneous embolization of the renal artery. Here, we describe our clinical experience with embolization and report observed differences with graft nephrectomy.

methodsIn this retrospective, single-center study, we included kidney transplant recipients who underwent either graft nephrectomy or embolization between 2018 and 2024. Patients with indication "gain of space" were excluded. We reported on major post-procedural complications within three months (Clavien Dindo score 3-4), post-embolization syndrome, blood transfusions, length of hospitalization and readmissions, and mortality.

resultsWe included 13 embolizations and 32 graft nephrectomies. Major post-procedural complications occurred in 23% after embolization versus 41% after nephrectomy (p = 0.32). Length of hospitalization was shorter after embolization compared to nephrectomy (median 1 vs. 5 days, p = 0.001). Post-embolization syndrome occurred in 9 of 13 patients (69%) and was managed conservatively. One patient with recent graft infections required a subsequent nephrectomy for infected necrosis after embolization. Another patient with residual blood flow after embolization required a nephrectomy for persisting hematuria. Two patients with pre-existing sepsis and bacteriemia died after embolization.

conclusionsEmbolization results in shorter length of hospitalization and is likely associated with a reduced incidence of procedure-related major complications as compared to nephrectomy. Pre-existing sepsis is a risk factor for adverse outcomes after embolization, and recent graft infections should be considered a contra-indication.

Indexed as

Embolization, TherapeuticGraft RejectionKidney Failure, ChronicKidney TransplantationNephrectomyPostoperative ComplicationsAdultFemaleFollow-Up StudiesGraft SurvivalHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrognosisRetrospective StudiesRisk Factorsembolizationgraft nephrectomyinfectionskidney transplantationmortalityobservational studypostoperative complications

Identifiers

PMID42030296
PMCPMC13108832

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.