Near-infrared spectroscopy as continuous real-time monitoring for kidney graft perfusion

Background Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive technique designed to study regional oxygenation (rS[O.sub.2]) by measuring the absorption of chromophores. This study investigated the role of NIRS in the real-time monitoring of kidney graft perfusion for 72 h post-transplantation. Methods Consecutive children undergoing living related donor (LRD) or deceased donor (DD) kidney transplantation (KTP) were prospectively enrolled between April 2010 and August 2011. Renal rS[O.sub.2] values were registered continuously for 3 days and correlated with hourly urine output, serum creatinine, and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (u-NGAL). Results Twenty-four children were included, 6 underwent LRD and 18 DD KTP. Median age was 12.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] 3.5-16.6) and median body weight was 37 kg (IQR 13-49.7). Four patients experienced delayed graft function (DGF). Renal Doppler ultrasound showed normal vascularization patterns in all children. Median basal renal rS[O.sub.2] value was 68.8 % (IQR 59.3-76.2), significantly lower than the end-of-period result (83.6 %; IQR 79.2-90.4; p Keywords NIRS * Near-infrared spectroscopy * Renal transplantation * Pediatric renal transplantation * Delayed graft function
Introduction Renal transplantation may be burdened with a series of vascular or immunological complications that may present early in the postoperative period [1]. Thrombosis of the renal allograft vascular anastomosis [...]