Kidney Survival Impact of Delayed Graft Function Depends on Kidney Donor Risk Index: A Single-Center Cohort Study

Background: Delayed graft function (DGF) is a significant challenge in renal transplantation, particularly with deceased donors, necessitating early postoperative dialysis. The prolonged effects of medium- and long-term DGF remain uncertain, marked by contradictory graft survival outcomes. This incongruity might arise from the inherent graft resilience and regenerative capacity during transplantation. This study investigates DGF’s impact on graft survival, focusing on grafts displaying favorable (KDRI < 1) and unfavorable outcomes (KDRI ≥ 1). Methods: In this retrospective cohort study (January 2015–December 2019), we assessed kidney transplants at our center, excluding multiorgan simultaneous cases, primary non-functioning grafts, and surgical complications causing graft loss. Patients were categorized into DGF presence or absence groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses, alongside propensity score matching (PSM), were performed. Results: The study encompassed 322 deceased donor kidneys, with 83 encountering DGF. Grafts with higher KDRI indices (KDRI ≥ 1) and DGF exhibited a notably increased graft loss risk (HR: 4.17, 95% CI: 1.93–9.01). However, lower-KDRI donor grafts displayed no significant disparities between the DGF and non-DGF groups. Conclusions: Delayed graft function (DGF) development significantly contributes to graft loss in kidney transplants, particularly in grafts with KDRI ≥ 1.