Is perioperative low molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch infusion a risk factor for delayed graft function in renal...

Crystalloid or colloid fluids may be utilized during kidney transplantation. Histopathological and clinical data indicate that hydroxyethyl starch (HES) may have nephrotoxic potential.

This retrospective single-centre cohort study screened 192 and included 113 patients who underwent renal transplantation between 2003 and 2007 at University of Leipzig Medical Faculty, Germany. The primary outcome parameter was delayed graft function (DGF). Patients were divided into two groups. Patients in group CRYS (N = 73) received crystalloid solution (acetated Ringer's or normal saline) only. Patients in the group HES (N = 40) received a minimum of 500 mL 6% HES 130/0.4 and additional crystalloid solution by discretion of the transplant team.

Patients in both groups did not differ with respect to demographic data and American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System scores, except for the donor age, which was significantly lower in the group HES. The rate of DGF was not found to be different in group CRYS (31.5%) when compared to group HES (32.5%) (P = 1.00, n.s.).

In this single-centre retrospective cohort study, infusion of low molecular weight 6% HES 130/0.4 during and after renal transplantation was found to have no significant negative effect upon the rate of DGF.