Renal and cardiac assessment of living kidney donor candidates

Key PointsThe medical assessment of living kidney donor candidates can include additional investigations beyond the minimal recommended requirements to select candidates at lowest risk of renal and cardiac complications following donationMeasured glomerular filtration rate by isotopic methods provides a more accurate assessment of renal function than calculations of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), but might not be necessary for a large proportion of donor candidates who have acceptable eGFR valuesPersistent isolated microscopic haematuria should be investigated to exclude urologic and glomerular diseases and might reveal abnormalities that would preclude donationDonor candidates who are at low risk of perioperative cardiac events following nephrectomy do not need to undergo additional cardiac assessment