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BackgroundRegional variations in kidney and liver transplant outcomes have been reported, but their causes remain largely unknown. This study investigated variations in kidney and liver cold ischemia times (CITs) across organ procurement organizations (OPO) as potential causes of variations in transplant outcomes.MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed the Standard Transplant Analysis and Research data of deceased donor kidney (n = 61,335) and liver (n = 39,285) transplants performed between 2003 and 2011. The CIT variations between the 2 types of organs were examined and compared. Factors associated with CIT were explored using multivariable regressions. Spearman rank tests were used to associate CIT with graft failure at the OPO level.ResultsSignificant CIT variations were found across OPOs for both organs (P < 0.05). The variation was particularly large for kidney CIT. Those OPOs with longer average kidney CIT were likely to have a lower graft survival rate (P = 0.01). For liver, this association was insignificant (P = 0.23). The regression analysis revealed sharp contrasts between the factors associated with kidney and liver CITs. High-risk kidney transplant recipients and marginal kidneys were associated with longer average CIT. The reverse was true for liver transplants.ConclusionsLarge variations in kidney CIT compared to liver CIT may indicate that there is a room to reduce kidney CIT. Reducing kidney CIT through managerial improvements could be a cost-effective way to improve the current transplant system.

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Geographic disparities in access to and outcomes in transplantation have been a persistent problem widely discussed by transplant researchers and the transplant community. One of the alleged causes of disparities in the United States is administratively determined organ allocation boundaries that limit organ sharing across regions. This paper applies mathematical programming to construct alternative liver allocation boundaries that achieve more geographic equity in access to transplants than the current system. The performance of the optimal boundaries were evaluated and compared to that of current allocation system using discrete event simulation.

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