Post-transplant haemoglobin levels and host kidney status.
Erythrocytosis after renal transplantation has been ascribed to inappropriate production of erythropoietin by the recipient's native kidneys. In a retrospective analysis we examined the effect of pre-transplant bilateral nephrectomy on post-transplant haemoglobin level (Hb) and haematocrit (Ht) in 370 renal transplant patients. Hb and Ht were significantly higher in the 341 patients with host kidneys in situ compared with the 29 patients who had undergone bilateral nephrectomy (Hb, 8.5 +/- 1.2 mmol/l vs 7.8 +/- 1.3 mmol/l, P = 0.005; Ht, 41 +/- 6% vs 38 +/- 7%, P = 0.02). Moreover, a very high Hb and/or Ht (defined as a value above the 80th percentile of the whole group) occurred more frequently in patients with host kidneys in situ (20.5% vs 3.5%, P = 0.02). It thus appears that host kidneys significantly contribute to the unexpectedly high haemoglobin levels occurring after renal transplantation.
Hilbrands
L B
LB
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, NL-6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Hoitsma
A J
AJ
Koene
R A
RA
D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods; D011086:Polycythemia / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D006454:Hemoglobins; D003404:Creatinine