Ask your doc: Is it necessary to have same blood group for kidney transplant

CHENNAI: Q: What is Atrial Fibrillation and the risk factors? —K Mithra, Arumbakkam

A: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm disorder that affects more than 90 lakh Indians, which increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and death. In AF, electrical impulses (which dictate the heart rhythm) are fast and chaotic, leading to ir- regular heartbeats and making it less effective in pumping blood. Those with AF have a five-time greater risk of stroke and two times greater risk of heart failure than those with normal heart rhythms.

— Dr AM Karthigesan, Senior Consultant Cardiologist, Electrophysiologist, Apollo Hospitals.

Q: Is it necessary to have same blood group for kidney transplant? — U Prasanth, Chetpet

A: Kidney Transplant requires the blood groups to match, as one person has anti-bodies against another blood group. If a transplant is performed with differing blood groups (ABO Incompatibility), the antibodies present in the patient’s blood would react against the antigens in the do- nor blood group, present not only on the red blood cells but also on the surface of all other cells including those in the kidneys. The antibodies that are provoked lead to rejection of the organ at the time of transplant leading to an immediate failure, which is known as Hyper acute Rejection.

— Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Kauvery Hospital.