What is a primary method for assessing the donor's compatibility with potential recipients?

HLA testing, or human leukocyte antigen testing, is the primary method used to assess a donor's compatibility with potential recipients. This testing focuses on the genetic markers found on the surface of white blood cells, which play a crucial role in the body's immune response. Each individual has a unique set of HLA antigens, and when it comes to organ transplantation, matching these antigens between donor and recipient significantly reduces the risk of rejection. The closer the match, the higher the likelihood that the recipient's body will accept the transplanted organ.

In contrast, while blood pressure monitoring, CT scans, and medical history review are important components of overall patient assessment, they do not specifically gauge immunological compatibility in the same direct manner that HLA testing does. Blood pressure monitoring helps evaluate general health status, CT scans can be used for visual assessments of internal organs, and reviewing medical history provides insight into past health issues, but none of these methods directly identify the likelihood of transplant success related to immune compatibility.