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Kidney Transplant Program

Albany Med's Kidney Transplant Program Posts High Survival Rates

Albany Medical Center's Kidney Transplant Program, which began in 1969, has performed nearly 2,000 kidney transplants to date and has survival rates comparable to some of the nation's busiest transplant centers.

The program is headed up by David Conti, M.D., who serves as director of transplantation and as medical director of the Center for Donation and Transplant.

Kidney Transplant Statistics

Albany Med's Kidney Transplant Statistics

In 2006, the program performed 53 transplants. Its 3-year survival rate is 96.75% compared to the mean of 90.50%. Its one year survival rate is 100%, compared to the mean of 97.63%. Due in part to its research component, the program has received a number of awards and recognitions. For example, the institution's Renal Transplant Quality Improvement Team earned the prestigious "Quality Cup Award in Healthcare" sponsored by the Rochester Institute of Technlogy and USA Today in 2001.

Of 245 kidney transplant programs nationwide, Albany Med's program is among the 40 percent of programs nationwide following a steroid-free protocol for selected patients. Steroids act as immunosuppressives but they have some undesirable side effects, including bone and muscle weakness, the development of cataracts or glaucoma and changes to physical appearance such as acne and weight gain.

Learn More

For more information, visit Albany Med's Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Program Web pages

The program also participates in a number of Phase II and Phase III trials investigating the efficacy of new immunosuppressants, and was one of the first in the country to use Rapamune,a new drug with fewer side effects, and Belatacept, another  very promising new immunosuppressant.