[Pre-emptive renal transplantation from deceased donor]

Preemptive transplantation from deceased donors is an important issue due to its ethical and clinical implications. In this paper, two nephrologists discuss the problem from different angles, expressing their opinion on specific points and highlighting the limitations and advantages. The first point discussed relates to the advantages of preemptive renal transplant from a deceased donor versus dialysis. The second point considers the possibility that the former could reduce the already limited resources for patients on the transplant waiting list. The third point discusses whether preemptive transplant should be reserved for patients with particular background diseases. The last discussion point relates to the possibility that a preemptive program from deceased donors could hamper an already limited living donor program. The ethical aspects are examined separately by a bioethicist who critically evaluates all discussion points and lists some principles that should guide clinicians, before or after starting dialysis, in the proper use of renal transplant, an efficacious but scarce resource.