Research Article
More than Twenty Years’ Experience with “Zero-Hour” Transplant Kidney Biopsy
Peter Szakaly1*, Karoly Kalmar-Nagy1, Dora Praksch1, Tibor Vas2 and Adam Varga1
1Department of Surgery, University of Pecs, Hungary
2Deaparment of Internal Medicine and Nephrology Center, University of Pecs, Hungary
*Corresponding author: Peter Szakaly, Department of Surgery, Medical School, University of Pecs, Hungary
Published: 11 Oct, 2018
Cite this article as: Szakaly P, Kalmar-Nagy K, Praksch
D, Vas T, Varga A. More than Twenty
Years’ Experience with “Zero-Hour”
Transplant Kidney Biopsy. Clin Surg.
2018; 3: 2153.
Abstract
“Zero-hour” biopsies of 968 transplant kidney have been performed since 1994. Donor kidneys
were categorized into five groups based on the morphological findings in “zero-hour” biopsies.
No morphological abnormalities were found in 40.5% of the cases. Arteriosclerosis was seen in
21.3% of donor kidneys. Acute tubular necrosis 27.8%, chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis 3.9%
or glomerulonephritis 6.5% were detectable in the cases remained. Not significant differences
were found in individual groups concerning basic disease, duration of supplementary kidney
treatment prior to transplantation, mean age of recipients and HLA, B and DR mismatches. During
the follow-up period (on the average 1764 days) 733 biopsies were performed. Side effect due to
the performance of “zero-hour” biopsy was not observed. Massive haematuria resulting bladder
tamponade occurred only once during re-biopsies. We found very worse early and long-time
results at the chronic tubulointerstitial group. Arteriosclerosis in the transplant kidney is one of the
alloantigen independent factors of the chronic allograft nephropathy. “Zero-hour” biopsies could
be useful and safe tools to predict early graft function. Additionally, “zero-hour” biopsies help the
histological interpretation of consecutive graft re-biopsies.
Keywords: “Zero-Hour” Biopsy; Kidney Transplantation; Chronic Allograft Nephropathy
Abbreviations
AR: Acute Rejection; AS: Arteriosclerosis; ATN: Acute Tubular Necrosis; CAN: Chronic Allograft Nephropathy; DGF: Delayed Graft Function; GN: Glomerulonephritis; HLA: Human Leukocyte Antigen; MAC: Membrane Attack Complex; NVG: Non-Viable Graft; Se: Serum; TIN: Tubulointerstitial Nephritis
Introduction
The growing demand for transplantation resulted in easing kidney donor criteria. As a
consequence, the number of marginal donors and non-viable grafts increased [1]. We wanted to
answer the question, how much the pathological findings of “zero-hour” biopsy determine the early
postoperative period and how much it can be considered as an alloantigen-independent factor in the
development of chronic allograft nephropathy in a big patient group.
Conflicting opinions were voiced on its predictive value. Some experts assess it inadequate to
determine early graft rejection, early and late graft function while others take into consideration its
predictive feature [2,3]. Representatives of different viewpoints agreed that “zero-hour” biopsy may
be the basis for comparison in analysis of subsequent rebiopsies [4,5].
Materials and Methods
Between 13 May 1994 and 16May 2017, 968 “zero-hour” biopsies were performed just before
transplantation. Grafts came from cadaver donors (2 non-heart beating donors) in 896 cases while
in 72 cases grafts were transplanted from living donors. In 125 cases both kidneys of the same
donor were transplanted in our clinic. Combined transplantation of the kidney and pancreas was
performed in 94 cases. Four patients received the third, 33 patients the second while the others the
first transplantation.
“Zero-hour” biopsy was performed from the upper pole of the kidney just before the
transplantation after the kidney had been dissected in icy bath. After the wedge biopsy of about a
rice size tissue, the wound was closed by atraumatic continuous suture. Histological changes noticed
effect due to the performance of “zero-hour” biopsy was not observed.
Later, subsequent biopsies were performed when:
• More than 7 days delay occurred in the onset of graft function,
• Clinical suspect of acute rejection a raised,
• Steroid-resistant acute rejection occurred,
• After immunotherapy,
• Serum creatinine increase was not clinically justified.
Morphological analysis of histological sections was performed by
light microscope, immunofluorescence microscopy (IgG, IgM, IgA,
C3, MAC), transmission electron microscopy according to standard
techniques. Banff criteria were essential to determine histological
severity [6].
Table 1
Table 1
Contrasting of different type of histological group (bold: significant different to the normal histological group, p<0.001).
Results
Grafts of donors did not show any macroscopic changes from
normal kidney, laboratory findings and vital parameters met the
international recommendation/criteria. In spite this fact hardly
more than one-third of grafts had normal histological pictures. In
the remaining cases Arteriosclerosis (AS), Acute Tubular Necrosis
(ATN), Tubulointerstitial Nephritis (TIN) or Glomerulonephritis
(GN) were found in the pathological findings.
Not significant differences were found in individual groups
concerning basic disease, duration of supplementary kidney treatment
prior to transplantation, mean age of recipients and HLA, B and
DR mismatches. During the follow-up period (on the average 1764
days) 733 biopsies were performed. Massive haematuria resulting
bladder tamponade occurred only once during rebiopsies. In spite of
conservative treatment it reoccurred every 3-4 days. With the help
of image forming processes the location of bleeding could not be
detected so we had no other choice than to remove the graft. Since
we changed to ultrasound guided biopsy for histological diagnosis we
have not experienced any side effects demanding intervention [7].
Comparable aspects of different groups are summed up in
Table 1. Comparison of groups was based on such aspects which
had an influence on both the short-, and long-term results and
showed significant changes among the groups. The examination of
significance was performed by means of t-probe and difference was
considered to be significant in case of p<0.001 (IBM SPSS Statistics
software -IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA).
Discussion
Normal histological group
Best results can be expected in this group both on short and
long term, if serious side effects do not develop during the early
postoperative period. The risk of development of severe rejection
process is low. When adequate attention is paid to follow up, and
patient compliance is satisfactory, the treatment of Chronic Allograft
Nephropathy (CAN) detected at early stages can be successful as well
as effective graft function period can significantly be improved [8].
Grafts with arteriosclerosis
Aging increases the probability of arteriosclerosis in donors [9].
These grafts are characterised by acceptable early function but later
they lack the necessary reserves for long term adequate function [10].
Patients having this kind of kidney form a potential risk group for
CAN as the developed histological changes are practically identical
with those demonstrated by grafts with arteriosclerosis [11]. Long term
function of these grafts can be worsened by prolonged cyclosporine
therapy and are negatively influenced by many of chronic renal failure
end-stage complications such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and
diabetes mellitus. In the absence of “zero-hour” biopsy it is difficult
to diagnose cyclosporine nephrotoxicity as cyclosporine similarly to
arteriolosclerosis forms a nodular picture [12].
Acute tubular necrosis
As graft tubular damage mostly occurs in the same age group
where grafts have normal histological pictures [13]. It is to be expected
that these grafts would have belonged to the normal group but during
the treatment of the patient, operation, perfusion or storage they
suffered damages to a lesser or more extent.
In acute tubular necrosis of grafts the result of “zero-hour” biopsy
may predict delayed graft function [14]. These grafts are advisable to
be followed by biopsy once a week until the onset of the function. The
degree of regeneration can be assessed in this way. In non-functioning
grafts due to ATN the development of acute rejection can be more
often observed which may remain undiagnosed and untreated in
absence of biopsy during the follow-up.
Furthermore, characteristic features are poorer graft survival
and function as well as higher rate of nonviable grafts. The need for
supportive haemodialysis is the highest in this group [13]. Later no
significant differences can be observed in functioning grafts compared
to the normal group.
Tubulointerstitial nephritis
In spite of the small number of cases it is obvious that the
tubulointerstitial group has the most unfavorable prognosis [16].
They have higher serum creatinine level, elevated acute rejection rate
and the highest graft loss rate. The most important characteristics
of this group are the poor early and late graft functions. Due to this
fact CAN develop significantly earlier and we are helpless in these
cases [15]. In spite of our therapeutic efforts we could not achieve
essential changes. Prognostically, this group is considered to be the
most unfavorable. If histological findings were available before the
operation then transplantation of kidneys in this group could be
avoided.
Group of glomerulonephritis
IgA nephropathy was the observed lesion in every case, when
donor’s anamnesis involved alcoholism [17]. Renal function
measured before donation proved to be normal. Significant difference
from the normal group was only detectable in their mean age.
Their functions approached the findings of the group with normal
histological results both in a short- and long term. The results of the
subsequent re-biopsies were unexpected as the original histological
changes were totally eliminated [17]. An interesting aspect of IgA
glomerulonephritis is that it causes chronic renal failure then, after
the transplantation it may appear in the transplanted graft but at the
same time IgA nephropathy in the transplanted graft terminates due
to immunosuppression. It is thought-provoking. It does not have a
disadvantageous effect on the outcome of the transplantation so no
further examinations were carried out in this direction [18].
Conclusion
On the basis of the long-term follow up of 968 kidney or
combined kidney and pancreas transplants’ we can establish that
the findings of “zero-hour” biopsies have an effect on the assess of
both the early postoperative period and the subsequent term [5].
They may help in clinical judgment of postoperative anuria, influence
therapeutic decisions in case of a severe, acute rejection or they can
have a prognostic feature in the development of chronic allograft
nephropathy.
With full knowledge of results, those in TIN group, 3.9% out
of transplanted grafts should have been disregarded. Not even the
possessed outcome or the retrospectively analysed data could prove
a parameter which could have served as a basis for selection before
donation. The unfavorable outcome of Grade III AS was unforeseen
as changes of blood vessels in the kidney were not proportioned
with sclerosis of big vessels. It is true that donors in both groups
were aged over 50 years or in most of the cases they were defined as
marginal donors. One of the main characteristics of marginal grafts
is that damages due to ischemia/reperfusion, length of cold ischemia
and hemodynamical stability of recipient are highly emphasised. In
the light of this fact some principles of the national transplantation
program should be revised. In case of marginal donors taking
histological sample could be introduced during donation and
HLA determination would not be necessary but two blood group
compatibles recipients - in good health condition - from the region
on the basis of negative cross matching would get the kidneys. On the
basis of histological findings, a considerable proportion of non-viable
graft could be screened. Ischemic period would be within 8 hours
reducing damages due to ischemia/reperfusion. Neglecting marginal
donors in transplantation is unfeasible, because of the increasing
demand. If we had the chance to increase the supply of donor organs
then the severity of the acceptance criteria of marginal donors could
be increased [19].
We believe the clinical value of “zero-hour” biopsy is expressed:
1. In the judgment of primary non-functioning grafts.
2. In the influence on treatment strategy for severe rejection
processes.
3. In its predictive value in both the short- and long- term results.
4. It could help for the pathologist to evaluate rebiopsies.
5. In determination of effective treatment for chronic allograft
nephropathy.
6. In cases of marginal donors the findings of biopsy taken during
the donation could be conclusive.
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