Hemodynamic consequences of porcine kidney xenograft reperfusion in cynomolgus monkeys.
BACKGROUND: After xenograft reperfusion, complement activation may lead to generation of anaphylatoxins and cardiocirculatory instability of the recipient. METHODS: In 13 cynomolgus recipients of either unmodified or human decay accelerating factor transgenic porcine kidneys cardiocirculatory parameters were measured by single indicator transpulmonary thermodilution. RESULTS: After graft reperfusion, recipient cardiac output decreased by 25.4% (P<0.05), intrathoracic blood volume by 22.8% (P<0.05), extravascular lung water increased slightly (P=n.s.). The impairment in cardiac output was neither influenced by the graft's weight or human decay accelerating factor transgenicity. sC3a and sC5b-9 complement levels in the recipient monkeys showed a sharp peak upon reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: After reperfusion a marked and significant cardiodepression accompanied by relative volume depletion were observed. Analysis of volume status ruled out a mere volume shift as the underlying reason for the observed drop in cardiac output. These data may be relevant for the perioperative management of human recipients of discordant xenografts in the future.