Impaired renal artery blood flow at transplantation is correlated to delayed onset of graft function

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate a transit time flowmeter (Transonic, USA) in renal transplantation with respect to feasibility and estimation of graft circulation. Subsequently, the measurements were evaluated for their ability to predict delayed onset of function, occurrence of acute rejection or graft loss within 3 months after transplantation. Renal artery blood flow was measured and resistance calculated in 100 transplants-62 cadaveric donor (CD) and 38 living donor (LD)-immediately after restoration of graft circulation and before wound closure. Low blood flow (< 250 ml/min) and high resistance (> 392 mPRU) correlated positively with a long cold ischemia time and delayed onset of graft function, including the need for post-transplant dialysis. No correlation with rejection or graft loss was found. Blood flow measurements with the transit time flowmeter were easy to perform and immediate estimation of transplant circulation was achieved. Transplants at risk for delayed onset of function were identified.