Influence of renal artery blood flow on renal function during aortic surgery
Welch, M.; Knight, D.G.; Carr, H.M.; Smyth, J.V.; Walker, M.G.
Surgery 115(1): 46-51
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0039-6060 PMID: 8284760 Document Number: 422733
Background. This study was undertaken to determine the true incidence of renal impairment after aortic surgery and its association with intraoperative fluctuations in renal artery blood flow and cardiac output. Methods. Direct measurements of renal artery bloodflow were undertaken with electromagnetic flowmetry in 19 patients undergoing elective infrarenal aortic surgery. Renal function was assessed before and after operation by measurement of creatinine clearance. Results. Twelve patients (63%) had renal impairment as defined by a 40% or greater reduction in creatinine clearance after operation. This group of Patients had significantly lower renal artery blood flow during the period of aortic cross-clamping than had those who preserved their renal function (P lt 0.001). Conclusions. Renal impairment is common after infrarenal aortic surgery and may be a result of intraoperative ischemia secondary to reduced renal artery blood flow.