Deep vein thrombosis after renal transplantation

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Vascular Surgery
• Transplantation Medicine

Background:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potential complication following major surgical procedures.
• Renal transplantation, particularly with homografts, carries risks of thromboembolic events.
• The incidence and timing of DVT after cadaveric renal transplantation require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the occurrence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing homograft cadaveric renal transplantation.
• To identify the incidence and potential risk factors for DVT in this specific patient population.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of diagnostic methods for DVT detection.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a combination of 125I-fibrinogen scanning and Doppler ultrasound for DVT diagnosis.
• Monitored seven unselected patients undergoing homograft cadaveric renal transplantation.
• Assessed patients for DVT postoperatively.

Main Results:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was detected in four out of seven (57%) patients.
• One patient experienced a pulmonary embolism.
• The onset of DVT was noted to be late in the observed cases.

Conclusions:

• Homograft cadaveric renal transplantation is associated with a high incidence of postoperative DVT.
• Intraoperative and postoperative heparin administration may act as a prophylactic agent, potentially delaying DVT onset.
• Combined 125I-fibrinogen and Doppler ultrasound are effective diagnostic tools for DVT in transplant patients.