Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Reconstructive Transplantation

Abstract

Antibody-mediated rejection {(AMR)} is an important cause of graft loss following transplantation of solid organs. Diagnosis of {AMR} of kidney, liver, and cardiac allografts is based on several criteria, including graft dysfunction, histological evidence of injury, complement deposition, and the presence of donor-specific antibodies. These four criteria are reviewed in this chapter, in addition to the treatment options for {AMR.} {AMR} is rarely described in reports of vascularized composite allografts. Nonetheless, its prevalence is expected to increase as the frequency of organ transplantation increases. Therefore, teams involved in vascularized composite allotransplantation should be aware of our current knowledge about {AMR} and how it should be treated.