Paired Exchange

The first tests done for all donor-recipient pairs are blood type testing and a crossmatch test. These tests determine whether the donor and recipient are compatible. In the past, if a pair was not compatible, the recipient had no other option and remained on the waiting list for a kidney from a deceased donor.

Today, even incompatible pairs may still benefit from living donation. One option is paired exchange, also called paired donation. In this program, two or more incompatible donor-recipient pairs are matched with each other. Each donor gives a kidney to a compatible recipient in another pair, essentially “exchanging” donors.