REASSESSMENT OF THE VALUE OF POST-VASCULARIZATION BIOPSY PERFORMED ATRENAL-TRANSPLANTATION - THE EFFECTS OF ARTERIOSCLEROSIS

Between January 1, 1984 and December 31, 1991, 471 cadaver renal trans plants were performed. We reviewed 130 transplants, which were biopsie d 30 minutes to 1 hour after the establishment of renal allograft bloo d flow. Analysis showed a significant difference in 2-year graft survi val rate between the groups with and without arteriosclerosis (71.8% v ersus 65.9%, p < 0.05). Arteriosclerotic changes were noted more frequ ently in biopsies from older donors (37 versus 28 years, p < 0.005). T here was also a difference in ischemic time between the groups with an d without tubular degeneration (30.1 hours versus 26.7 hours, p < 0.02 ), which did not correlate with the need for dialysis in the periopera tive period (48% versus 49%, p > 0.8).