Protein C in renal allotransplantation during the perioperative period

Protein C activity, both coagulant and amidolytic, as well as antigen level were studied during the perioperative period in 40 renal transplants recipients and 21 healthy controls. At transplantations the protein C coagulant activity was significantly lower in the patients than in the normal controls, and further decreased in the patients during the first week after transplantation, whereas the amidolytic activity of protein C was normal and the protein C antigen level was elevated. In the patients with established kidney function, protein C coagulant activity was higher than in patients with impaired graft function. Furthermore, it seems that the protein C coagulant activity was closely related to changes in graft function in the 11 patients with graft rejection episodes. The low protein C coagulant activity following renal transplantation could be a contributing factor to thromboembolic complications.