Transplantation of warm ischemia damaged kidneys: an experimental study in pigs

This study evaluated renal function and histological and oxidative injury in transplanted kidneys harvested after prolonged warm ischemia in pigs. In 8 donor pigs, kidneys were perfused in situ 120 min after cardiac arrest. One of each pair of kidneys was used for histological and biochemical studies while the other was transplanted into a recipient undergoing bilateral nephrectomy. In 6 cases, renal function was satisfactory 14 days after transplantation. Histologically, a reversible acute tubular necrosis was observed with partial recovery at the 14th postoperative day. A moderate oxidation was revealed by decreased glutathione and increased malondialdehyde levels. In spite of this ischemic injury, these findings suggest that kidneys harvested after prolonged warm ischemia can still recover after transplantation, and that non-heart-beating donors may be considered as an alternative organ source for kidney transplantation.