Changes in blood flow and vasculature of the dog kidney undergoing normothermic and hypothermic ischaemia.

In 11 mongrel dogs both kidneys have been subjected to a 2 h ischaemic period. One kidney was cooled by perfusing the renal artery at 4 degrees C while the contralateral normothermic kidney was clamped for 2 h. Studying the renal blood flow using the Xenon wash out technique, sequential renal scanning and angiography, marked differences between hypo- and normothermic ischaemia kidneys were observed. One or two hours following hypothermic perfusion a marked decrease of blood flow in the first compartment and vasoconstriction was evident, while within this period following normothermic ischaemia an enhanced renal blood flow was observed. After 24 h renal blood flow and renal function tested by 131I-Hippuran clearance returned to normal values. Angiographic studies corresponding to the preoperative findings. In contrast, normothermic ischaemia kidneys showed a decreased renal blood flow, impairment of kidney function in isotope studies and pathological angiographic changes.