Effect of intravenous mannitol on renal hemodynamics and renal lymph recovery during acute ureteral obstruction.

The object of this study was to determine the effect of mannitol upon lymph flow during acute unilateral renal obstruction in the dog--whether it would sustain, increase, or have an adverse effect upon renal hilar lymph flow. Two groups of dogs were used so that the efficacy of bolus injection could be compared with continuous infusion of mannitol. After ureteral obstruction renal hilar lymph flow increased significantly. Renal artery pressure, venous pressure, blood flow, and lymph flow were sustained by both bolus and continuous infusion. These results show that intravenous mannitol given during acute ureteral obstruction will sustain an increase in renal hilar lymph flow.