[Computer-controlled isolated kidney hypothermic perfusion system].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate at the laboratory a self-designed computer-controlled kidney perfusion system. A vacuum powered tubular pump with active valves developed by our group is used. This pump is able to produce a flow and pressure patterns very similar to the pulse wave in the human circulatory system.


METHODS
This is an experimental study performed with mini-pig kidneys. After transperitoneal bilateral nephrectomy, both organs are sorted either to immediate perfusion or to perfusion after a period of 24 hours of cold storage in Eurocollins solution. The system is able to record continuously perfusion pressure, flow and intrarenal resistance.


RESULTS
A progressive decrease in renal vascular resistance along with an increase in the flow value were observed during the procedures. These dynamic changes become evident both in immediate and deferred renal perfusions.


CONCLUSIONS
Computer-controlled kidney perfusion system provide us the opportunity of recording in real time renal microcirculatory state modifications during a perfusion. Vascular system seems to be actively modified by the perfusion. This fact should be researched in the next future.
Lledó García
E
E
Servicio de Urología, Fundación Hospital Alcorcón, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid.
Hernández Fernández
C
C
Llorente Abarca
C
C
del Cañizo López
J F
JF
D000818:Animals; D004867:Equipment Design; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007668:Kidney; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted