IMPAIRED RENAL-ARTERY BLOOD-FLOW AT TRANSPLANTATION IS CORRELATED TO DELAYED-ONSET OF GRAFT FUNCTION

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate a transit time flowm eter (Transonic, USA) in renal transplantation with respect to feasibi lity and estimation of graft circulation. Subsequently, the measuremen ts were evaluated for their ability to predict delayed onset of functi on, occurrence of acute rejection or graft loss within 3 months after transplantation. Renal artery blood flow was measured and resistance c alculated in 100 transplants - 62 cadaveric donor (CD) and 38 living d onor (LD) - immediately after restoration of graft circulation and bef ore wound closure. Low blood flow (< 250 ml/min) and high resistance ( > 392 mPRU) correlated positively with a long cold ischemia time and d elayed onset of graft function, including the need for post-transplant dialysis. No correlation with rejection or graft loss was found. Bloo d flow measurements with the transit time flowmeter were easy to perfo rm and immediate estimation of transplant circulation was achieved. Tr ansplants at risk for delayed onset of function were identified.