Pancreas Transplant Selection Criteria

A pancreas transplant is primarily performed for patients with type 1 diabetes or any conditions that have resulted in damage to the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin. After transplantation, patients are rendered insulin-free or require a much lower dose of insulin to maintain stable blood glucose levels. In this environment, the effects of diabetes will not progress. For example, diseases related to diabetes mellitus will stabilize.

For those individuals with diabetes, a pancreas transplant can boost quality of life. Many of our patients at UH find living with a pancreas transplant to be far easier than continuing to live with the risks of diabetes and taking daily insulin therapy.

University Hospitals Transplant Institute reviews the following information for every potential kidney transplant candidate:

• Current health condition
• Past medical history
• Psychosocial history and evaluation
• Lab results
• Medical testing results
• Financial status

Who Doesn’t Qualify for a Pancreas Transplant?

Not all patients are candidates for pancreas transplant. The following conditions may exclude a patient from transplant:

• Active malignancy (cancer)
• Active infections
• Advanced cardiac (heart) disease
• Advanced lung disease
• Unstable psychiatric disorders
• Evidence of poor compliance
• Absence of funding
• Active alcohol or substance abuse
• Body mass index (BMI) greater than 32
• Smoking of any substances

For patients who are not candidates for pancreas transplant, UH offers comprehensive diabetes management and treatment options for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.