For all kidneys, the mean initial flow was 59 ¡À 35 mL/min which improved to an average flow of 128 ¡À 38 mL/min with continued perfusion. The maximal flow and terminal flows were 148 ¡À 51 and 135 ¡À 38 mL/min respectively. The flows at 2, 4, and 6 hours was 125 ¡À 41, 128 ¡À 42 and 130 ¡À 39 mL/min respectively. Kidneys that improved on continued perfusion had a significantly lower discard rate (20 vs 34 % p < 0.05), but a higher incidence of DGF (64 vs 39 % , P < .05). One year graft loss (death censored) was comparable in the two groups. (4/42 vs. 3/33, P = .94). Resistance at 2, 4, and 6 hours was predictive of DGF, as was donor anoxia and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) as the cause of death.
Kidneys on pulsatile pump perfusion tend to show improved flows and decreased resistance over time. The average flow for a kidney is reached by 2 hours. Those kidneys that start with lower flow rates that improve after 2 hours with continued perfusion are less likely to be discarded but are still associated with a greater incidence of delayed graft function. Resistance at 2 hours predicts DGF while initial resistance predicts one year graft survival.