Submitted by Mary Geoge, Mar 4, 2008 15:57

IVIG can be the only treatment or part of a protocol used by transplant centers to make transplants from positive crossmatched organs possible. Although the literature more than supports the efficacy of IVIG for this purpose, and it is being used around the country successfully, it is important to note that it is not FDA approved for this use (off label.) In fact, there are many instances where IVIG is routinely and quite successfully used off label, and more than the approved indications. That being said, if a center does not have a protocol for desensitization, and/or their transplant statistics aren't very successful, I would go elsewhere for a kidney transplant. I would also suggest that you check with your insurance carrier to ensure that the treatment would be covered as part of your transplant. For Medicare recipients, the treatment is covered.

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