It is assumed that diabetic patients with uraemia have more complications a
t renal transplantation than those who are not diabetic. We compared the pr
eoperative ECGs, and invasive perioperative haemodynamic and oxygenation pa
rameters in 15 diabetic and 15 non-diabetic uraemic patients undergoing ren
al transplantation. The number of patients with increased QT dispersion in
the ECG was higher in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients (P < 0.05). Be
fore anaesthesia, heart rate and mean arterial pressure were higher (P < 0.
05) in the diabetic than in the non-diabetic group. After preanaesthetic vo
lume loading all patients showed a hyperdynamic circulation, which subsided
during anaesthesia. However, stroke volume index remained unchanged. Four
patients in the diabetic group and six in the non-diabetic group needed add
itional oxygen therapy after surgery. No cardiac dysrhythmias were noted. H
owever, the increased QT dispersion in diabetic patients calls for an adequ
ate perioperative ECG monitoring for dysrhythmias. The diabetic and non-dia
betic uraemic patients performed equally well at renal transplantation. In
conclusion, renal transplantation for diabetics is justified.