Crossmatching is a test of compatibility between a kidney donor and recipient. It is used used to identify the presence of preformed antibodies that would damage the kidney (cause rejection) from that specific donor. Crossmatching is done several times throughout the transplant process.
 
The final crossmatch test provides accurate results for deciding whether or not to proceed with transplantation, live cells from the donor and recent blood from the recipient are needed.
 
Learn about transplant compatibility.

This article originally appeared in the February 2008 issue of Kidney Transplant Today.