Vascular resistance in hypothermically perfused kidneys damaged by warm ischemia.

Vascular resistance was determined during hypothermic perfusion of rabbit kidneys after various periods of warm ischemia. Ischemia was induced by clamping of the renal artery, or of the renal artery and vein, in situ. Studies were made after periods of clamping ranging from 0 to 180 min. The perfusing fluid was 5% Dextran of low molecular weight in balanced saline solution (Tis-U-Sol), with addition of 5 mg % Papaverin. When the renal artery was clamped for more than 15 min, vascular resistance increased. Maximal resistance was reached after 60 min of clamping, and was 3 times as high as that value in the control group of kidneys which were not clamped. The vascular resistance attained after 60 min of clamping did not further increase when clamping was maintained for 180 min. When both the renal artery and the renal vein were clamped vascular resistance first increased after 30 min. Maximal resistance was reached after 60 min of clamping, but was only 1/2 of that level seen when the renal artery alone was clamped.