Perfusion of renal allografts with verapamil improves graft function

The effect of adding a calcium channel antagonist to kidney allograft perfusate solution was assessed. All renal transplants in which both kidneys from the same donor used for transplantation were studied between November, 2003 and August, 2005 (n=46). The first renal allograft was perfused on the backtable with 1 L of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglurate solution and the second with 1 L of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglurate with 5 mg/L of verapamil. Both organs were transplanted in the usual manner. Baseline demographic parameters were similar between first and second kidney recipients other than BMI and cold ischemic time. At 6 and 12 months, renal function was significantly improved in the verapamil versus control cohort (creatinine clearance 73.8+/-23.5 mL/min vs. 55.8+/-17.0 mL/min, P<0.05 and 87.5+/-28.4 mL/min vs. 59.7+/-21.3 mL/min, P<0.05 respectively). Additionally, rates of hypotension during graft reperfusion and other adverse reactions were similar in both groups. In conclusion, verapamil supplemented perfusate significantly improved renal function posttransplantation.