There may be tenderness on palpation over the organ (particularly the kidneys). Signs of reduced organ function are often present such as decreased urine output with kidneys, symptoms of liver failure like yellow skin color and easy bleeding with liver transplants, or symptoms of heart failure, such as shortness of breath and decreased exertional tolerance for hearts. A biopsy of transplanted organs confirms rejection. Routine biopsy is often performed to detect rejection early, before symptoms develop.
Tests that may be performed prior to an organ biopsy in a patient suspected of having organ rejection include:
- lab tests of renal or liver function
- renal ultrasound
- renal arteriography
- abdominal CT scan
- cardiac echo
- chest X-ray
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