Lesson 1Infectious disease evaluation: latent infections (TB, CMV, EBV, VZV, HBV, HCV, HIV), vaccination review, prophylaxis planningCovers infectious disease assessment for transplant candidates, stressing latent infections like TB, vaccination status, and custom prophylaxis plans to cut down post-transplant opportunistic infections and reactivation under immunosuppression.
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 criteriaDetails cardiology evaluation for transplant candidates, including noninvasive tests for ischemia, when to do coronary angiography, functional capacity checks, and criteria for revascularisation to lower perioperative heart risks.
Baseline ECG and echocardiographyStress testing and ischemia detectionIndications for coronary angiographyFunctional capacity and METs assessmentRevascularization versus medical therapyLesson 3Endocrine and metabolic optimisation: diabetes control strategies pre-transplant, obesity and nutritional optimisation, weight-loss options and timelineLooks at endocrine and metabolic issues before kidney transplant, focusing on diabetes control, obesity and nutrition, weight-loss plans, and realistic timelines to hit metabolic goals that reduce surgery and long-term complications.
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 statusOutlines key lab and imaging tests for pre-transplant baseline, including HLA typing, PRA, crossmatch, serologies, renal ultrasound, vascular imaging, and BK/JC virus status to guide donor choice and surgery planning.
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 targetsExplains how teams decide to go ahead with or hold off on kidney transplant, weighing cardiopulmonary limits, infection control, vascular suitability, and BMI/metabolic goals to balance 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 anaesthesia risk: spirometry, sleep apnoea screening, frailty and functional status assessmentDescribes lung and anaesthesia risk checks, including spirometry, sleep apnoea screening, frailty, and functional status, to gauge surgery risks and plan optimisation, monitoring, and post-op care.
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 planningLooks at vascular surgery assessment for kidney transplant planning, including mapping peripheral artery disease, imaging iliac and femoral vessels, and picking best access sites for safe joining and long-term graft blood flow.
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 8Haematology and coagulation: platelet function, anticoagulation/antiplatelet management, transfusion thresholdsFocuses on blood and clotting checks, including anaemia, platelet function, and handling anticoagulants and antiplatelets, to set transfusion limits and reduce bleeding and 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 predictorsCovers structured psychosocial checks before transplant, including social support, mental health, substance use, and predictors of med adherence, to spot barriers and plan interventions for better long-term graft 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 reviewSummarises the full pre-transplant history and physical exam, stressing cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, diabetes, and dialysis access review to find contraindications 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