Renal transplantation in human immunodeficiency virus-infected recipients: a case-control study from the Brazilian experience.

BACKGROUND: Highly active antiretroviral therapy has turned human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with end-stage renal disease into suitable candidates for renal transplantation. We present the Brazilian experience with kidney transplantation in HIV-infected recipients observed in a multicenter study. METHODS: HIV-infected kidney transplant recipients and matched controls were evaluated for the incidence of delayed graft function (DGF), acute rejection (AR), infections, graft function, and survival of patients and renal grafts. RESULTS: Fifty-three HIV-infected recipients and 106 controls were enrolled. Baseline characteristics were similar, but a higher frequency of pre-transplant positivity for hepatitis C virus and cytomegalovirus infections was found in the HIV group. Immunosuppressive regimens did not differ, but a trend was observed toward lower use of anti-thymocyte globulin in the group of HIV-infected recipients (P = 0.079). The HIV-positive recipient group presented a higher incidence of treated AR (P = 0.036) and DGF (P = 0.044). Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration estimated that glomerular filtration rate was similar at 6 months (P = 0.374) and at 12 months (P = 0.957). The median number of infections per patient was higher in the HIV-infected group (P = 0.018). The 1-year patient survival (P < 0.001) and graft survival (P = 0.004) were lower, but acceptable, in the group of HIV-infected patients. CONCLUSIONS: In the Brazilian experience, despite somewhat inferior outcomes, kidney transplantation is an adequate therapy for selected HIV-infected recipients.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy versus transperitoneal anterior approach in living donors for renal transplantation.

The objective of this study was to compare two surgical approaches for living donor nephrectomy: transperitoneal anterior approach and the hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy. Between January 2001 and October 2003 we performed 63 kidney transplantations from living donors. The transperitoneal anterior approach was used in 36 cases and the hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy in 27. Outcomes were compared in terms of hospital stay, postoperative analgesia, and graft quality. Mean hospital stay was 4.7 days in the transperitoneal anterior approach group and 3.7 days in the hand-assisted laparoscopic group (P < .005). Postoperative analgesia dosage was significantly lower in the hand-assisted laparoscopic group (P < .001). Surgical complications and graft quality were similar. We concluded that hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy patients had shorter hospital stays and less pain in the postoperative period, with better cosmetic results and equivalent graft quality compared to transperitoneal anterior approach patients.

Doppler ultrasonography for the detection of renal artery stenosis in transplanted kidneys.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the importance of Doppler ultrasonography in diagnosing renal artery stenosis in transplanted kidneys using angiography as the accepted gold standard. Fourteen kidney graft recipients with clinical severe hypertension, impaired renal function, or both had their renal artery blood flow studied by Doppler ultrasonography before angiography. Seven patients had renal artery stenosis diagnosed by angiography. In six of them, the same diagnosis was achieved by Doppler ultrasonography, and in one patient, Doppler ultrasonography and angiography showed total occlusion of the renal artery. In six patients, both exams were normal. The only false-negative result was in an 8-year-old patient whose graft was placed in the left flank. The Doppler ultrasonography specificity was 100% and its sensitivity was 87.5%. The predictive value of a positive test was 100%; the predictive value of a negative test was 85.7%. Doppler ultrasonography of the renal artery in transplanted kidneys showed an accuracy of 92.86% in diagnosing renal artery stenosis. Because the technique is noninvasive, it should be considered as a first-line screening test.

Renal artery aneurysm in hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: case report.

We report a living donor who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy using a hand-assisted device (HALD). At preoperative arteriography the donor showed a renal artery aneurysm. The patient was a 37-year-old female, 166 cm height, white, weighing 87 kg, HLA identical to the recipient. HALD was indicated due to the better visualization of renal pedicle and greater security in an obese patient. Renal artery aneurysm is a rare condition, with many possible complications. The method proved to be adequate and safe for donor nephrectomy, despite a renal artery aneurysm.

[Heparinization control by activated coagulation time in cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation]. / Controle da heparinização através do tempo de coagulação ativado em cirurgia cardíaca com circulação extracorpórea.

The authors studied 20 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation using a protocol proposed by Bull for the control of heparinization using the activated coagulation time of whole blood proposed by Hattersley. The patients, alterations in the coagulation and in red cell values were evaluated comparing the pre-operatory values with the post-operatory ones. The activated coagulation time (ACT) was evaluated as to its variability in different periods (pre, trans, and post-surgery). All the results were compared with world literature. They conclude that it is an excellent method for the control of the monitoring of heparin therapy and neutralization with protamine sulfate, which was used in lower doses than those referred to in literature. No post-operatory complications due to alterations in the coagulation system were observed. The total doses of heparin and protamine per kilogram were, respectively, 5.85 mg and 4.34 mg. There was significant variation between the erythrocytes, the hemoglobin and the platelets (p less than 0.001). As to the prothrombin time, the partial thromboplastin time, the coagulation time and the fibrinogen, none showed significant variation. The ACT did not show significant variation between the values obtained during perfusion, and neither between the basal value and the value post-protamine, the basal and the 30 minutes post-protamine, and the post-protamine and 30 minutes post-protamine.