Arteriolar Hyalinization in Implantation Kidney Biopsies as a Predictor of Graft Function

The shortage of organs suitable for transplantation has caused a constant evolution of donor acceptance criteria, making an implantation biopsy a valuable tool to predict kidney allograft survival. Preimplantation vascular changes may be divided into sclerosis or intimal fibrous thickening or arteriolar hyalinization. Increasing evidence has indicated their impact on graft function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of preimplantation arteriolar hyalinization for the stability of kidney allograft function. Among a prospective cohort study of 53 kidney recipients (implantation: 2006–2007) who showed serum creatinine values between 1 and 2 mg/dL at 3 months after engraftment, the mean observation time was 24 ± 8.7 months. At the end of the observation, kidney function as defined by the estimated glomerular filtration rate by the Cockcroft-Gault formula (eGFR C-G) was significantly diminished in individuals with preimplantation evidences of arteriolar hyalinization (mean values: 51.2 ± 14.8 and 62.0 ± 16.7, respectively; P < .03) or serum creatinine concentrations (1.76 ± 0.36 vs 1.51 ± 0.48 mg/dL; P < .09). The negative influence of arteriolar hyalinosis on allograft function was time-dependent; an early satisfactory filtration rate did not preclude progressive kidney dysfunction.