The value of magnesium in flush solutions for human cadaveric kidney preservation.

A cooperative clinical trial was conducted among 5 transplant centers in the western United States to determine the value of magnesium sulfate in intracellular electrolyte flush solutions for hypothermic, human kidney storage. Kidneys from alternate donors were flushed with either magnesium-free Euro-Collins' solution or magnesium-containing Collins' 2 solution. Donor and recipient ages, and mean preservation times were not significantly different between the 2 groups. There was a significantly lower dialysis requirement during the first week in the magnesium-containing Collins 2 group (33 per cent) versus the Euro-Collins group (54 per cent). Function rates and serum creatinine nadirs at 1 month were not significantly different. The beneficial effect of magnesium sulfate was more evident when preservation times exceeded 24 hours.