Kidney transplant center in Denver

A kidney transplant is not just a surgical procedure—it is a life-changing experience with wide-ranging physical and emotional benefits. At HealthONE, our multidisciplinary teams will be with you every step of the way by guiding, advising and answering your questions.

Our kidney transplant team complements our medical and surgical expertise during the kidney transplant process. They do this with passionate, comprehensive, coordinated and family-centered care that continues from evaluation and surgery to post-transplant care.

For more information about HealthONE's kidney transplant services, please call (720) 754-2155.

Comprehensive kidney transplant care

For more than 30 years, the kidney transplant team at the Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center Kidney Transplant Center has offered superior expertise and experience for patients requiring kidney transplant procedures.

The members of your transplant team will meet with you one-on-one in a private hospital setting to deliver a personalized experience and ensure you understand the transplant process. We will work with your referring physicians on a regular basis to keep them informed, ensuring that you receive high-quality care throughout your transplant journey.

When a kidney transplant may be recommended

Kidney transplantation may be recommended for people with end-stage renal (kidney) disease (ESRD) and/or are approaching 25 percent or less kidney function. You do not have to be on dialysis to be eligible for a transplant.

There are several conditions that cause end-stage kidney disease, including:

  • Acute renal injury
  • Certain autoimmune diseases
  • Certain infections
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Polycystic kidney disease

Studies have shown that a transplanted kidney has a superior ability to filter your blood than dialysis treatments and will likely result in improved quality of life and better long-term health. A transplant evaluation will determine if and when you would benefit from a kidney transplant.

When to discuss a kidney transplant with your provider

When it comes to a transplant, earlier is better. Almost all patients with kidney conditions leading to stage 4 or greater chronic renal failure are good candidates for transplant education and evaluation. We will work with you during the early stages of your disease so you can be evaluated and start learning about the transplant process.

You may not qualify immediately for a transplant, but starting the process sooner promotes seamless integration into the transplant program.

What to expect during kidney transplant surgery

If and when you are called in for a transplant surgery, you can expect the entire surgical procedure to last approximately three to four hours. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The kidney transplant doctor will begin by making an incision into one side of your lower abdomen. After the surgeon inspects the donor's kidney, it will be placed into your abdomen, and the donor kidney’s renal artery and vein will be sewn to your iliac artery and vein.

Once blood is properly flowing into the new kidney, the ureter (duct for urine flow) will be attached to your bladder. The surgeon will then close the site with staples, sutures or glue.

Transplantation for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Advances in the treatment of HIV have resulted in improved survival and better outcomes for people with HIV. As a result, kidney transplantation has emerged as an important consideration for patients with HIV and kidney failure.

Our team continues to successfully serve patients who are HIV-positive. Some HIV drugs can interact with anti-rejection medications, which is why we work closely with infectious disease specialists and pharmacists to help prevent any complications.

Kidney paired donation

For family members that would like to donate a kidney to a family member or friend, but are not a match, our kidney paired donation program is here to help. Through the program, you can be paired with another recipient who also has a non-matching donor, creating a circle of recipients and donors.

The process—called kidney paired donation (KPD)—involves a computer database that may match a potential recipient with a willing donor. A number of transplant centers are members of this alliance, increasing the possible number of matches. If a computer match is found, the involved transplant centers work closely to coordinate the surgeries and the medical follow-up for the care of all involved.

Kidney transplant resources

We offer many kidney transplant services and resources to our patients and their families. Our resources include:

  • Comprehensive urologic care—We address all urological treatment needs, before and after transplantation, for our patients.
  • Financial counseling—We offer assistance to help you navigate through the financial process.
  • Pregnancy counseling—We provide consultation and transplantation services to patients who want to become pregnant.
  • Transplant education classes—These classes are held to help you understand the transplant process.

Additional resources

We also want to connect you to online resources so you may do additional research on your own. These online resources include:

Kidney transplant at HealthONE

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure performed to restore proper kidney function when a kidney is no longer able to function on its own. A donor kidney is procured and replaces the failing kidney with a healthy one.

Learn about Kidney transplant