Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
08:50
Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Long-term blood pressure and renal function in kidney donors
Kidney International
|May 1, 1986
Summary
Long-term follow-up of kidney donors shows a moderate increase in blood pressure and higher urinary albumin excretion compared to controls. However, uninephrectomy does not appear to pose a long-term health risk.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Urology
- Transplantation
Background:
- Kidney donors undergo uninephrectomy, necessitating assessment of long-term health outcomes.
- Previous studies suggest potential risks, including hypertension and renal dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term health status of kidney donors, focusing on blood pressure, renal function, and urinary parameters.
- To compare kidney donors with a matched control group to identify any significant differences.
Main Methods:
- Reexamination of 68 kidney donors 9-15 years post-donation.
- Assessment of blood pressure, creatinine clearance (Ccr), and urinary excretion (albumin, total protein).
- Comparison of a subgroup of 32 donors with 32 matched controls.
Main Results:
- Moderate, significant increase in blood pressure; 15% of donors were hypertensive.
- 38% of donors showed elevated albumin or total protein excretion.
- Creatinine clearance averaged 78.4% of preoperative values; 8 donors had Ccr < 50%.
- Significantly higher urinary albumin excretion in donors compared to controls (P < 0.002).
Conclusions:
- While kidney donors may experience increased blood pressure and altered urinary protein excretion over time, uninephrectomy does not appear to represent a significant long-term health risk.
- Further monitoring of blood pressure trends in kidney donors is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:45Kidney Structure
The kidneys are two large bean-shaped organs located in the upper abdomen. They filter the blood several times a day to remove toxins and rebalance water and electrolytes of the circulatory system via the renal veins. The kidneys receive blood directly from the heart via the renal arteries. These arteries enter the kidney at the hilum, the concave surface of the bean, where they branch and divide into smaller vessels and capillaries.
01:18Blood and Nerve Supply to the Kidney
The kidneys are vital organs responsible for filtering and cleaning blood, removing waste products, and regulating electrolyte levels. To perform these essential functions, they require a constant and robust blood supply.
Bloody Supply to the Kidneys:
The kidneys receive their blood supply from the renal arteries, which branch off from the abdominal aorta—the main artery supplying the abdomen and lower body. The renal arteries enter the kidneys at the hilum, a notch on the medial side of each...
Bloody Supply to the Kidneys:
The kidneys receive their blood supply from the renal arteries, which branch off from the abdominal aorta—the main artery supplying the abdomen and lower body. The renal arteries enter the kidneys at the hilum, a notch on the medial side of each...
01:29Physiology of the Genitourinary System I: Renal Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration
The kidneys are vital organs responsible for regulating blood filtration, waste excretion, and fluid balance, all of which are crucial for maintaining homeostasis. Renal physiology examines renal blood flow, glomerular filtration, and urine formation, ensuring the body’s internal environment remains stable.Renal Blood FlowThe kidneys receive about 20-25% of the cardiac output, typically around 1200 mL of blood per minute in an average adult. Blood flows into the kidneys through the renal...
01:28Kidney Transplant I: Introduction
A kidney transplant is a surgical approach that involves replacing a non-functioning kidney with a healthy one from a donor. This procedure is often a treatment option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The method requires careful recipient selection, including evaluating various medical and psychosocial factors. These criteria vary between transplant centers but generally include assessments of the patient's overall health, adherence to medical recommendations, and lifestyle...
01:26Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure
Preoperative ManagementThe primary goals of preoperative management in kidney transplantation are to optimize the patient’s metabolic state and prepare them for surgery through diet adjustments, necessary dialysis, and tailored medical treatment. This phase also involves comprehensive infection screening and patient education about the surgical procedure and postoperative care to improve outcomes and adherence.Medical ManagementA comprehensive evaluation is required for both the living donor...
01:24Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
Renal function tests are crucial for assessing kidney health, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating the kidneys' efficiency in waste elimination, fluid balance, and electrolyte regulation. These tests offer critical insights into kidney function, even though routine measurements may appear normal until there is a significant decline in the glomerular filtration rate or GFR. Typically, signs of kidney impairment only become evident when the GFR falls to about 50% of its normal level.