Kidney preservation by continuous hypothermic albumin perfusion without membrane oxygenation.

Continuous hypothermic albumin perfusion in the new Gambro device utilising surface oxygenation of the perfusate was studied in 20 consecutive human kidneys at the Transplantation Clinic in Gothenburg. The results were compared with previous results of kidney storage using simple hypothermia and continuous perfusion with membrane oxygenation. The mean preservation time was increased from eight and 24 hours in the previous material to 30 hours in the studied group. Immediate onset of function occurred more frequently after surface oxygenation and all kidneys perfused for the longest period of 30 to 48 hours, had immediate onset of function. No increased LDH release was observed after prolonged perfusion. Delayed onset of function could in most cases be attributed to prolonged warm ischaemia time in which cases also increased LDH release was observed. Continuous albumin perfusion using surface oxygenation was found to be equally efficient in clinical practice as the previously used system with membrane oxygenation.