Kidney transplantation is one of the most frequently performed organ transplant surgeries today. In this surgery, kidneys that are not working well are replaced with a kidney from a donor. Kidney transplants have been performed since the 1950s. This surgery is a life-saving choice for thousands of patients with end-stage renal disease (renal kidney failure). If you have kidney failure and cannot perform a kidney transplant, dialysis can sustain life. Dialysis cleans the blood by removing waste products such as urea.

What Happens When Kidneys Fail?

Harmful wastes build up in the body, which leads to:

high blood pressure
fluid buildup (edema)
disturbance of the balance of salts and acids in the blood
decreased red blood cells
weak bones

All of these can be harmful, even fatal, to the heart, brain, and skeleton.

How the Kidneys Work

The kidneys are fist-sized organs that manage the body’s fluid and chemical levels. They are located on either side of the spine, behind the liver, stomach, pancreas, and intestines. Healthy kidneys remove waste from the blood and make urine. They keep the elements in the blood (sodium, potassium and calcium) in balance. The kidneys also produce hormones that control blood pressure and red blood cells.