48- to 96-hour preservation of canine kidneys by initial perfusion and hypothermic storage using the Euro-Collins solution.

In 1976 a standardised hypertonic 'intracellular' perfusate (Euro-Collins solution) was recommended for renal preservation in all donor centres collaborating with the Eurotransplant Organisation. In order to investigate the effectiveness of this perfusate canine kidneys were initially flushed with Euro-Collins solution and subjected to 48, 72 and 96 h of cold storage and autotransplantated. Immediate contralateral nephrectomy was performed after autotransplantation. The serum creatinine served as a parameter of postoperative renal function. Under laboratory conditions successful preservation was achieved after minimal (less than 5 min) warm ischaemia for up to 96 h of cold ischaemia and after 15 min of warm ischaemia for up to 48 h of cold ischaemia. Our results suggest that initial flushing and hypothermic storage of kidneys using Euro-Collins solution is a satisfactory preservation method when human cadaver kidneys can be harvested under adequate conditions.