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Term	Definition
Acute Tubular Necrosis (ATN)	Reversible tissue damage of the kidney that results in delayed graft function. Prolonged long organ storage or certain anti-rejection medications can cause ATN. It may be referred to as a "sleepy kidney".
Anesthetic	A medication that reduces pain by dulling sensation or can cause the patient to be asleep.
Allograft	An organ or tissue transplanted from one person to another person of the same species. Commonly referred to as a graft.
Angiogram	A x-ray of the arteries taken following the injection of dye. An angiogram allows the team to see (visualization of) the blood vessels to the kidneys. See also, arteriogram.
Antibiotic	A medication that is used in the treatment of bacterial infections.
Antibody	:A protein substance made by the body's immune system in response to a foreign substance, for example a previous transplant, blood transfusion, virus or pregnancy. Because the antibodies attack the transplanted organ, transplant patients must take powerful anti - rejection medications.
Antifungal	Medications that are used in the treatment of fungal infections.
Antigen	A foreign substance, such as a transplant, that triggers an immune system response.This response may be the production of antibodies, which try to inactivate or destroy the antigen (the transplanted organ).
Arteriogram	A x-ray of the arteries taken following the injection of dye. An arteriogram allows the team to see (visualization of) the blood vessels to the kidneys. See also, angiogram.
Bacteria	A small organism that can cause infection.
Bladder	A saclike structure that receives urine from the kidneys and stores it until urination occurs.
Catheter	A small soft rubber tube that is placed into the bladder through the urethra allowing mine to drain freely from the bladder.
Cholesterol	A form of fat that performs necessary functions in the body but can also cause heart disease.
Chronic Renal Failure	Permanent irreversible damage to the kidneys that is treated with dialysis or transplantation. Also known as End -Stage Renal Disease or ESRD.
Compliance	The act of following medical instructions and treatment regimen plans.
Crossmatch	A blood test between a donor and a recipient that indicates compatibility. A negative crossmatch means there is no reaction between a donor and recipient's blood; therefore a transplant can occur. A positive crossmatch means that the recipient's immune system has reacted to the donors blood calls and this means the transplant cannot occur.
CMV (Cytomegalovirus)	A virus that is found in a large percentage of the population that generally causes no harm. This virus, however, can cause serious illness in a patient that is immunosuppressed.
Diabetes	An individual's inability to process carbohydrates, proteins, and fats as a result of glucose accumulating in the blood stream. This occurs because your body is not using glucose properly or not enough Insulin is being produced.
Diastolic	The bottom of the two blood pressure numbers that measures the force of the heart muscle at rest.
Edema	The presence of abnormally large amounts of fluids in the tissues of the body. Commonly seen in the feet and legs.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)	A recording of the electrical activity of the hemi.
End -Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)	Permanent irreversible damage to the kidneys that is treated with dialysis or transplantation. Also known as Chronic Renal Failure.
Hematocrit (HCT)	A measurement of the red blood cell content in the blood.
Herpes	A group of viruses that can infect people. Herpes simplex can cause lip and genital sores. Herpes zoster can cause shingles.  These viruses can be serious in immunosuppressed people.
Immune System	The body's defense against foreign objects or organisms such as bacteria, viruses, tissues, or transplanted organs.
Immunosuppression	Artificial suppression of the immune system with medication. This is done to suppress the immune system so that a body will not reject a transplanted organ or tissue.
Intravenous (IV)	Refers to fluids or medications that are given through a vein.
Platelet	A small blood cell that is necessary for normal clotting of the blood.
Potassium	A mineral found in the body that is necessary for body function and helps to regulate cardiac function. Disturbances in potassium levels may cause serious cardiac problems.
Rejection	An attempt by the immune system to reject or destroy what the body recognizes as foreign.
Sodium	A necessary electrolyte in your blood. Sodium is absorbed by the kidneys and affects body water distribution.
Systolic	The top number of the blood pressure reading which measures the force of the heart muscle during contraction.
Thrush	A fungal infection of the mouth.
Ureter	The tube that transports urine to the bladder from the kidneys.
Urethra	The tube from the bladder in which urine flows from the body.
Virus	A small germ that causes infection.

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