Renal transplantation is now accepted as the treatment of choice for
patients with end-stage renal failure. During the last decade both
patients and graft survival rates have increased significantly and when
assessed at one year are now greater than 90% and 80% respectively.
These marked improvements have occurred at a time when increasing
numbers of patients in the older age groups and with more complex forms
of renal disease are being accepted for transplantation. The reasons for
the improved clinical results are not fully understood but are probably
linked with changes in blood transfusion policy, tissue typing policy
and drug therapy. These topics, together with immunological monitoring
and details of how to treat the highly sensitized patient, are fully
covered in this volume. All the chapters have been written by recognized
experts in their field. Not only are the recent advances well documented
but the likely future developments in management are identified and
discussed. As renal transplantation is now the single most common of
treatment for renal failure, the information presented in this form
volume should prove of value to all with an interest in current clinical
practice.