[Comparison of angiographic and bioptic findings in transplanted kidneys (author's transl)]

Comparison of angiographic, clinical and bioptic findings after kidney transplantation permits the following statements: Angiography is indicated with the appearance of a hypertony after transplantation and in clinically unclear reduction of function; it is the method of choice for proof or exclusion of a vascular complication. Recognizable vascular alterations and an extended arterial wash-out time during previous crises tend to indicate severe damage which affects the whole organ. On the other hand, the same alterations in chronic rejection do not permit a conclusive evaluation of the ability of the transplant to function. Isolated cortical ischemia in regard to rejection occurs relatively early and is prognostically an unfavourable sign. Differentiation of low grade rejection: tubular necrosis is hardly possible on the basis of the angiogram. As a result, the value of angiography for the diagnosis of rejection in the clinically important, but less pronounced, stages is limited. The most important of the informative diagnostic measures is renal sequence scintigraphy. This technique not only makes an early diagnosis possible but also an observation of the course of the reaction.