Kidney

Patient brochures & FAQs

Information for patients and families to understand and navigate organ donation and transplantation:

The kidney

Functions of the kidney

The kidneys are a pair of reddish-brown, bean-shaped organs. They are located on either side of the spine just below the diaphragm, behind the liver and stomach.

The kidneys do a number of things to clean the blood and support overall health. These functions include:

• Filtering out extra water and waste through making urine
• Helping control blood pressure and production of red blood cells
• Helping balance levels of key chemicals (electrolytes) in the blood

Renal failure happens when the kidneys cannot remove wastes and maintain electrolyte balance. Acute renal failure is when the kidneys cannot make urine. This leads to a buildup of wastes in the body. It can also lead to other problems such as:

• Trauma
• Burns
• Infection
• Obstruction of the urinary tract

Treatment depends on the cause and level of kidney disease. It often includes antibiotics and reduction of fluid intake.

Chronic kidney failure may occur as a result of many systemic disorders. It can cause:

• Fatigue and sluggishness
• Less urine output, anemia
• High blood pressure
• Congestive heart failure

As kidney failure worsens, it may be treated through the use of diuretics and/or restricted protein intake. If it cannot be otherwise treated the final options are dialysis and/or transplantation.

Kidney transplant procedures

A kidney may be transplanted from a deceased or a living donor.

In deceased donor transplantation, most commonly one kidney is transplanted. In some cases, depending on the donor’s size or level of kidney function, both kidneys may be transplanted.

In a living donor transplant, one kidney is transplanted from an individual who:

• Is in good overall health
• Has been rigorously tested to ensure he or she can function with the other kidney
• Has given consent after being informed of the possible risks of living donation

Reasons for kidney transplants