Influence of the anesthetic technique on the hemodynamic changes in renal transplantation: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The success of renal transplantation (Tx) depends on the type of donor, length of cold ischemia, and hemodynamic parameters on reperfusion. The objective of this study was to analyze the anesthetic technique, the incidence of cardiovascular changes, and the presence of postoperative diuresis of Tx performed at UNICAMP. METHODS Renal transplantation of adults performed from January 2005 and April 2006 were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic data, preoperative laboratorial exams, anesthetic techniques and agents, hydration, hemodynamic parameters, use of vasoactive amines, presence of a diuresis, and intraoperative complications were evaluated, and comparative analysis between the subgroups, formed according to the anesthetic technique, was undertaken. The Student t test (parametric), Mann-Whitney test (non-parametric), Chi-square test and Fisher Exact test for comparison of proportions and multivariate analysis were used. RESULTS Ninety-two patients were evaluated; 59 underwent general anesthesia (GA) and 33 underwent general anesthesia associated with epidural block (GA + Epi); 42 patients received live-donor transplants and 50 from dead donors. Most preoperative parameters analyzed did not show statistically significant differences (p > 0.05), except for the origin of the graft (82% of GA + Epi received dead donor kidneys). Hypotension (30% GA and 48% GA + Epi, p < 0.05) was the most frequent cardiovascular change. The hydration regimen did not differ between both groups (86.7+/- 30.2 mL.kg(-1) GA and 94.8 +/- 21.8 mL.kg(-1) GA+Epi, p = 0.38). Dead donor grafts were more commonly associated with hemodynamic instability and worse prognosis for the immediate function of the graft, p < 0.01 and 0.01, respectively. Hydration of 80 mL.kg(-1) was associated with the presence of diuresis (OR = 2.94, CI 95% 1.00-8.32). CONCLUSIONS General anesthesia associated or not with epidural block was the anesthetic technique used. Hypotension was the most common hemodynamic change. Live-donor graft and volume of hydration of 80 mL.kg(-1) of NS favored diuresis.