Evaluation of renal flow distribution in stored kidneys

The total renal blood flow, cortical, outer and inner medullary blood flow were examined in canine kidneys, before and after storage in extracellular, intracellular and colloidal solutions. It was found that kidneys flushed with intracellular solutions and stored in iced saline have unchanged or even better hemodynamic parameters. This was not the case in kidneys stored in the same solution used for washout. Renal hemodynamic changes were associated with renal histological changes, found in light or electron microscopic examination. The use of phenoxybenzamine before nephrectomy in kidneys stored in extracellular fluid, increased the compartment blood flows by 20-40%. Colloidal solutions provide the best flush media for the kidney. Evaluation of the hemodynamic changes in preserved kidneys seems to be justified in providing further information connected with the initial renal graft function.