Early renal transplantation after donor renal angiography affects initial graft function

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Radiology
• Transplant Surgery

Background:

• Renal angiography is standard for living kidney donors.
• Contrast agents may cause contrast nephropathy.
• Impact of contrast exposure on donor renal function and transplant outcomes is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the effects of radiocontrast exposure in living donors.
• To assess the impact on delayed graft function (DGF) incidence.
• To evaluate recipient outcomes at 1 year post-transplantation.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 80 living donor transplantations.
• Group 1: Early transplantation (≤ 20 days post-angiography).
• Group 2: Late transplantation (≥ 20 days post-angiography).
• Collected data on rejection, graft survival, DGF, creatinine, GFR, and proteinuria.

Main Results:

• Early transplantation (Group 1) showed higher acute rejection rates (23.8% vs 5.3%) and DGF incidence (22% vs 2.6%).
• Group 1 had higher post-transplant day 3 creatinine and lower GFR.
• Month 1 proteinuria was significantly higher in Group 1, correlating negatively with angiography time.

Conclusions:

• Early renal transplantation (within 2 weeks) after renal angiography in living donors can impair initial graft function.
• This timing increases the risk of delayed graft function (DGF).
• Adequate interval between angiography and transplantation is crucial for optimal graft outcomes.