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Annual kidney allocation calculator updates

Published on: Wednesday, May 29, 2024

The reference population used to calculate a deceased organ donor’s kidney donor profile index (KDPI) has been updated, effective May 29, 2024.

The reference table for converting raw estimated post-transplant survival (EPTS) to a percentage has also been updated effective May 29, 2024.

The KDPI reference population now consists of all deceased kidney donors recovered for the purpose of transplantation in the U.S. in 2023.

  • Donor population generally changes only slightly from year to year, so the impact of this update on the KDPI calculation is small.

The EPTS reference population now consists of all adult kidney candidates on the waiting list as of Dec. 31, 2023.

Updated  KDPI calculator  and  EPTS calculator reference documents and guides are available on the OPTN website.

Background

The KDPI maps the kidney donor risk index (KDRI) onto a percentage scale, ranging from zero to 100 percent.

  • Lower KDPI values are associated with donors of higher estimated quality, and higher KDPI values are associated with donors of lower estimated quality
  • The KDPI helps transplant programs evaluate offers and make better, more informed decisions about which offers to accept
  • Watch a patient-friendly animation on KPDI

The EPTS score is assigned to all adult kidney candidates on the waiting list and is based on several factors. A candidate’s EPTS score can range from zero to 100 percent.

  • Candidates with EPTS scores of 20 percent or less will receive offers for kidneys from donors with similar KDPI scores before other candidates both inside and outside the 250 nautical mile allocation circle
  • The EPTS score is not used in kidney allocation from donors with KDPI scores greater than 20 percent
  • Watch a patient-friendly animation on EPTS