Lesson 1Infectious disease evaluation: latent infections (TB, CMV, EBV, VZV, HBV, HCV, HIV), vaccination review, prophylaxis planningThis lesson explains infection checks for transplant candidates, focusing on hidden infections, vaccine status, and custom plans to prevent infections after transplant when immunity is low.
Screening for TB, CMV, EBV, and VZVHBV, HCV, and HIV testing and stagingPre‑transplant vaccination catch‑up planDonor‑recipient serostatus risk matchingDesigning antiviral and PCP prophylaxisLesson 2Cardiology workup: noninvasive ischemia testing, coronary angiography indications, functional capacity assessment, perioperative revascularization criteriaThis covers heart checks for transplant patients, including non-invasive tests for blocked blood flow, when to do heart vessel scans, fitness checks, and rules for fixing blockages to avoid heart problems during surgery.
Baseline ECG and echocardiographyStress testing and ischemia detectionIndications for coronary angiographyFunctional capacity and METs assessmentRevascularization versus medical therapyLesson 3Endocrine and metabolic optimization: diabetes control strategies pre-transplant, obesity and nutritional optimization, weight-loss options and timelineThis reviews hormone and body chemistry issues before kidney transplant, stressing diabetes control, weight and diet improvement, weight loss methods, and realistic timelines to cut surgery and long-term risks.
Pre‑transplant HbA1c and glycemic targetsAdjusting insulin and non‑insulin therapiesObesity‑related surgical and graft risksNutritional assessment and protein‑energy statusPharmacologic and surgical weight‑loss optionsLesson 4Laboratory and imaging baseline tests: crossmatch/serology, HLA typing, PRA, baseline renal ultrasound and vascular imaging, baseline BK/JC viral statusThis outlines key lab and scan tests to set the baseline before transplant, like tissue matching, antibody levels, blood tests, kidney scans, vessel imaging, and virus checks to pick the right donor and plan surgery.
ABO typing, HLA typing, and PRA levelsComplement‑dependent and flow crossmatchBaseline renal ultrasound and DopplerCT or MR angiography of iliac vesselsBK and JC virus PCR and serologic statusLesson 5Decision criteria to accept or delay transplant: cardiopulmonary thresholds, infection control, vascular access/target vessel suitability, BMI and metabolic targetsThis explains how the team decides to go ahead or wait for kidney transplant, weighing heart-lung limits, infection clearance, vessel fitness, body weight, and health goals to match urgency with fixable risks.
Cardiopulmonary fitness and VO2 thresholdsActive infection and sepsis exclusionTarget vessel imaging and suitabilityBMI cutoffs and weight‑loss milestonesMetabolic syndrome and blood pressure goalsLesson 6Pulmonary evaluation and anesthesia risk: spirometry, sleep apnea screening, frailty and functional status assessmentThis describes lung and anaesthesia risk checks, including breathing tests, sleep apnoea screening, weakness checks, and daily function to gauge surgery risks and plan improvements and monitoring.
History, exam, and spirometry indicationsChest imaging and pulmonary hypertensionScreening and management of sleep apneaFrailty indices and gait speed testingAnesthesia risk classification and planningLesson 7Vascular surgery assessment: peripheral arterial disease mapping, iliac/femoral vessel duplex/CT angiography, access site planningThis explores vessel surgery checks for kidney transplant, mapping leg artery issues, scanning hip and thigh vessels, and picking best entry points for safe joining and lasting blood flow to the kidney.
Clinical exam for peripheral arterial diseaseDuplex ultrasound of iliac and femoral vesselsCT angiography for complex vasculatureChoosing side and site for graft anastomosisManaging severe aortoiliac occlusive diseaseLesson 8Hematology and coagulation: platelet function, anticoagulation/antiplatelet management, transfusion thresholdsThis focuses on blood and clotting checks, covering low blood count, platelet work, blood thinner handling, to set blood transfusion limits and cut bleeding or clotting risks around surgery.
Baseline CBC, iron studies, and anemia planPlatelet count, function, and uremic bleedingWarfarin, DOAC, and heparin bridgingAntiplatelet interruption and continuationRed cell and platelet transfusion thresholdsLesson 9Psychosocial and adherence assessment: evaluation of social support, substance use, medication adherence predictorsThis covers proper social and mental health checks before transplant, including family support, mental state, drug or alcohol use, and signs of sticking to meds, to spot issues and plan fixes for better kidney survival.
Standardized psychosocial screening toolsEvaluating caregiver and social supportScreening for depression and anxietySubstance use history and toxicology testsPredictors and remediation of nonadherenceLesson 10Comprehensive medical history and physical exam: diabetes, cardiovascular, peripheral vascular disease, dialysis access reviewThis sums up how to do full pre-transplant history and exam, stressing heart, leg vessels, diabetes, and dialysis line checks to find no-go factors and fixable surgery risks.
Structured transplant‑focused historyCardiovascular and peripheral vascular reviewDiabetes complications and foot examinationDialysis access function and infection historyMedication reconciliation and allergy review
