The transplantation of kidneys from older donors (53-70 years old) increases stiffening in the aorta, the body's largest central artery. A report found aortic stiffness was significantly worse in patients who received a kidney from older donors.
 
This increase may help explain the higher rates of cardiovascular disease and death in patients receiving kidneys from "expanded criteria" donors.

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