Dimensional and hemodynamic differences between native and transplanted kidneys, evaluated by color Doppler...

Aim of the study was to asses the differences in size and hemodynamics in the normal kidney and well-functioning renal graft by color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU). Sixty healthy subjects, 75 well-functioning cadaver renal transplant recipients, 15 couples of living donors and related graft recipients were compared by CDU. Renal diameters, volume, renal blood flow (RBF) and renal resistance index (RI) were the variables studied. Cadaveric transplants, living donors and related recipients had a longer kidney (p<0.00001) and greater volume (p<0.001) than normal native kidneys. This was not associated with any significant increase in RBF. RI was lower in healthy subjects and in kidney donors than in transplant recipients (p<0.00001). Transplanted kidneys had a higher arterial RI but apparently normal function.