The primary pancreas transplant criteria for evaluation and admission into Tampa General Hospital’s Pancreas Transplant program is the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes and stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD), or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Some stage 4 CKD patients may also be considered for an evaluation. After a potential candidate is referred by a physician via our pancreas transplant referral form, our selection process begins as our transplant team of health care professionals conducts an initial review to decide if the patient should undergo further evaluation. If so, the information from this evaluation, as well as other factors are considered by our Medical Review Board (MRB) to determine if the patient should be added to the transplant waiting list or if other forms of treatment are more appropriate. Most candidates considered for pancreas transplant evaluation meet the following criteria: take insulin, have appropriate financial and social support to handle the pancreas transplant procedure and subsequent care, are typically under the age of 55, and are in good health. In addition to the criteria used to determine placement on the pancreas transplant list, there are absolute contraindications that can prevent patients from being considered for transplant, including:
- Age over 80
- Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40
- Irreversible, severe cardiac or peripheral vascular disease (such as severe cardiomyopathy with an ejection fraction of less than 25 percent)
- Positive HIV status
- Active cancer
- Lack of friends or family to provide an adequate care and support system
- No insurance coverage or inability to handle the expenses involved with the transplant
- A documented history of non-compliance with medical treatments and / or medication regimens
- Active substance abuse (alcohol, drugs, etc.)
- Active or uncontrolled psychiatric disorders
There are also relative contraindications that may preclude a patient from being listed, depending on the particular patient and degree of illness. These conditions include:
- BMI between 35 and 40
- Active Hepatitis B or C
- Active or chronic untreated infections
- History of significant cardiac or peripheral vascular disease with active tobacco use
- History of malignant cancer within the past two to five years
- Active immunologic disorders that could impact the transplanted organ
- A urinary tract that isn’t intact / functional and lacks a viable diversion
- Highly sensitized patients with high antibody levels who aren’t responsive to desensitization treatment
For more information about our pancreas transplant selection and referral criteria, please call 1-800-505-7769 (press 5 for the pancreas transplant program, and ask for the referral coordinator), or you may call the referral coordinator directly at (813) 844-8686. Tampa General Hospital's Transplant Institute has performed more than 10,000 organ transplants overall and is ranked #5 in the nation by volume.