The Kidney Clinic

When kidney function fails, kidney transplantation is often the most effective treatment option. In Austin, kidney transplant surgeries have been conducted at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center for the past 25 years, and more recently at Dell Medical School. Additionally, patients from the Austin area also receive transplants at several other leading centers, including:

• Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple
• The Methodist Hospital (Texas Transplant Institute) in San Antonio
• UT Health San Antonio in San Antonio
• Methodist Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital, and Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston

Typically, after the initial 6 to 12 months following the transplant, patients are transitioned to care with their local nephrologist for ongoing management.

At The Kidney Clinic, transplant recipients are seen every 3 to 4 months for follow-up appointments, which include laboratory tests. Our care focuses on:

• Monitoring Kidney Function: Assessing how well the transplanted kidney is working.
• Immunosuppression Management: Ensuring effective levels of immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection.
• Infection Risk Management: Identifying and addressing any risk of opportunistic infections.

We coordinate closely with the transplant center to ensure comprehensive care. If necessary, we perform transplant kidney biopsies to evaluate for potential rejection, infections, or glomerulonephritis. We also utilize advanced monitoring tools, such as:

• Donor-Specific Antibody Testing
• Non-Invasive Screening Tools like Allosure and Prospera (cell-free donor DNA assays)

These methods help us to monitor transplant health and address issues proactively, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients.