3 patients with renal transplantation who developed polycythemia presented normalization of the hemoglobin levels immediately after nephrectomy of the native kidneys. This observation induced the authors to study the role of the native kidneys in the genesis of polycythemia in recipients of renal allografts. Comparison was made among 32 patients submitted to renal transplantation, with maintenance of native kidneys (group I) and among 31 under the same conditions, but without the native kidneys (group II). Both groups were comparable according to age, sex, rejection crisis incidence and immunosuppressive therapy. It was observed that the hemoglobin levels of group I were significantly higher (p < 0.05 to p < 0.005) than those observed in group II, from the 3rd to the 30th posttransplantation month, becoming comparable from the 36th to the 54th months. The hemoglobin production, measured by the kinetics of labeled iron (59Fe), was higher in patients of group I. The authors concluded that the native kidneys are responsible for the observed polycythemia after a kidney transplantation.

Keywords:
Polycythemia, Kidney transplant, Nephrectomy, End stage kidney, Erythropoiesis
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1977 S. Karger AG, Basel
1977
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.