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Updated: Nov 26, 2025

Physiology Lab Demonstration: Glomerular Filtration Rate in a Rat
Published on: July 26, 2015
The Effect of Kidney Biopsy on Glomerular Filtration Rate: A Frequent Patient Concern
Rakesh Dattani1, Richard W Corbett2, Jack Galliford2
1Renal and Transplant Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom, rakesh.dattani@nhs.net.
Abstract:
The effect of percutaneous kidney biopsy on glomerular filtration rate has never been identified, though it is frequently a concern raised by patients. Following a clinical interaction with an inquisitive patient undergoing her fifth biopsy, we attempted to estimate the effect using retrospective data. In a cohort of patients with stable kidney function undergoing transplant biopsy without clinical indication (as part of a surveillance programme) the effect of biopsy was observed as a step change in glomerular filtration rate. Reassuringly, the loss of glomerular filtration rate resulting from a biopsy, has a 1-sided 95% confidence interval of <1.4 mL/min.
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