Previous studies demonstrated a high incidence of local thrombosis in patients in whom external arteriovenous shunts were used for vascular access. This procedure provides, therefore, a useful model for the evaluation of potential antithrombotic agents. The effect of the hemorheologically and hemostasiologically active drug Pentoxifylline on the incidence of thrombosis of arteriovenous shunts (Ramires shunt) was investigated in a long-term, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 51 patients on chronic hemodialysis. The two treatment groups were comparable in age, sex, concomitant medication, and dialysis program (three times per week for four hours). Drugs known to affect platelet function or coagulation were excluded, with the exception of heparin, during the dialysis procedure. All shunts were placed in the forearm and inserted into the distal part of the radial artery and basilic antebrachial vein. Simultaneously, for medical reasons, in all patients an arteriovenous fistula was performed (proximal part of radial artery and cephalic antebrachial vein). Shunt thrombosis was assumed when the flow in the shunt discontinued under visual and auscultatory control. Thrombi were documented by physical removal from the arterial part of the shunt by use of gentle suction or by complete shunt thrombosis (both arterial and venous part of the shunt). Thereafter, the patients' trial period terminated. The total number of thrombi during the observation period was 44 in the pentoxifylline group (26 patients), compared with 82 in the placebo group (25 patients). The mean number of thrombi per patient was 1.69 +/- 1.29 in the pentoxifylline group, significantly lower than that in the placebo group (3.28 +/- 1.99/p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arterial hypertension in pediatric patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF 1) is usually due to renal artery stenosis (RAS) mainly involving the proximal part of the vessel. The treatment modalities are highly individualized. In severe and/or bilateral RAS, antihypertensive drugs are either ineffective or have the potential risk for acute renal failure, while percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has limited success due to the ostial localization of RAS and the tough fibrotic tissue involved that is refractory to dilatation Renal autotransplantation has potential advantages when medical control and PTA/or bypass techniques failed. Here we report 5 year-old girl with NF 1 and hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome due to severe bilateral disease, occluded proximal part of the right artery and ostial stenosis (80%) of the left one. Only left kidney was identified on 99 m Tc DTPA, but the right one was visualized on the renal ultrasonography and in the late phase of arterial renography due to well developed collateral circulation. Multiple antihypertensive drugs (nifedipine, labetolol and minoxidil) in maximal doses and PTA failed to normalize BP while short term therapy with ACEI with NF1 and hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome due to severe bilateral renovascular disease; occluded proximal part of the right renal artery and ostial stenosis (80%) of the left one. Only left kidney was identified on 99 m Tc DTPA, but the right one was visualized on the renal ultrasonography and in the late phase of arterial renography due to well developed collateral circulation. Multiple antiphypertensive drugs (nifedipine, labetolol and minoxidil) in maximal doses and PTA failed to normalize BP while. short term therapy with ACEI, captopril induced transient acute renal failure. Autotransplantation of right kidney saved its function and improved BP control. Our current case Autotransplantation of right kidney saved its function and improved BP control. Our current case is illustrative for a difficult management of renovascular hypertension in children with NF1. This is the first and up to now the only case of autotransplantation performed in Yugoslavia.

The lack of available cadaveric organs for transplantation has resulted in an increased number of kidney transplants from living donors. During a period of 6 years, 149 kidney transplantations were performed from living related donors in our institute, 33.5% of whom were older than 60 years of age. In this study we examined the survival of patients and grafts as well as the graft function in 50 patients with transplants from donors over 60 years (mean age 65 years) as compared with those of 99 patients with transplants from donors younger than 60 years (mean age 47 years). There were no significant differences in the course of donor nephrectomy, postoperative complications, or remnant kidney function. However, delayed graft function occurred more frequently in recipients of transplants from older donors. Improvement in graft function was also slower in recipients of kidneys from older donors, with significant differences in serum creatinine levels observed during the first 12 months after transplantation. More frequent acute complications and more progressive chronic graft failure, irrespective of the causes, occurred during the 1st post-transplant year in recipients with grafts from older donors. Five-year patient survival (77% vs 92%) and kidney graft survival differed significantly for the same period with worse results for patients receiving grafts from older donors. It may be concluded that kidney grafts from donors older than 60 years -- and especially those older than 70 years -- may be used for living related kidney transplantation, but with precautions.

No abstract

The lack of available cadaveric organs for transplantation has resulted in an increased number of kidney transplants from living donors. During a period of 6 years, 149 kidney transplantations were performed from living related donors in our institute, 33.5% of whom were older than 60 years of age. In this study we examined the survival of patients and grafts as well as the graft function in 50 patients with transplants from donors over 60 years (mean age 65 years) as compared with those of 99 patients with transplants from donors younger than 60 years (mean age 47 years). There were no significant differences in the course of donor nephrectomy, postoperative complications, or remnant kidney function. However, delayed graft function occurred more frequently in recipients of transplants from older donors. Improvement in graft function was also slower in recipients of kidneys from older donors, with significant differences in serum creatinine levels observed during the first 12 months after transplantation. More frequent acute complications and more progressive chronic graft failure, irrespective of the causes, occurred during the 1st post-transplant year in recipients with grafts from older donors. Five-year patient survival (77% vs 92%) and kidney graft survival differed significantly for the same period with worse results for patients receiving grafts from older donors. It may be concluded that kidney grafts from donors older than 60 years -- and especially those older than 70 years -- may be used for living related kidney transplantation, but with precautions.