Compensatory hyperplasia of the human kidney evaluated by angiography and a dye dilution technique

The renal blood flow and related variables were assessed with a dye dilution technique in conjunction with angiography of the enlarged kidney in 13 patients with unilateral disease, hypoplasia or aplasia of one kidney. The total renal blood flow, the width of the arteries, the kidney area, the vascular volume and the thickness of the cortex were all increased. The vascular resistance was decreased. The circulation time through the kidney was normal but the flow volume and most likely also the intrarenal flow velocity were increased.