Experimental assessment of prostacyclin in the harvesting of kidneys for transplantation.

Prostacyclin is a potent vasodilator and the most potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation yet discovered. A possible role for prostacyclin in the harvesting of kidneys in experimental canine transplantation has been investigated. Prostacyclin gives a 52.6% increase in renal blood flow prenephrectomy despite inducing a 23% drop in mean arterial blood pressure, without changing the rate of urine output. There is an associated drop in renal vascular resistance of 50.2% and an increase in renal blood volume of 25%. The value of heparin treatment before donor nephrectomy is confirmed as it improves the flow of flushing solution through the kidney after nephrectomy and improves red blood cell washout from the kidney. Prostacyclin and heparin together improve these parameters further. After a warm ischemic period of 45 min, autotransplanted kidneys in dogs pretreated with prostacyclin had normal renal function within 48 hr as judged by the serum creatinine whereas untreated dogs had permanent impairment of function.