The preservation of renal function by isovolemic hemodilution during aortic operations.

PURPOSE

In an investigation of the effects of isovolemic hemodilution, 39 consecutive patients undergoing elective infrarenal aortic operation had detailed measurements of renal function, renal artery blood flow, and cardiac hemodynamics.

METHODS

The patients were randomly allocated to receive acute preoperative isovolemic hemodilution to a hematocrit of 28%, with 20 patients receiving hemodilution and 19 being control subjects.

RESULTS

Twelve (63%) of the control group had renal impairment, compared with only four (20% in the group receiving hemodilution (p < 0.01). Hemodilution also prevented the fall in cardiac output induced by cross-clamping (p < 0.01) and significantly reduced the need for transfusion of donor blood (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Acute isovolemic hemodilution is clearly a useful adjunct in the management of patients undergoing elective aortic operation.