Background. The effect of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on early allograft function was examined retrospectively in a cohort of 119 renal transplantations realized by local organ exchange between four cooperating centres. Methods. After exclusions, 109 transplant procedures were subdivided in three groups according to donor colloid loading: (i) MS-group (Haes steril(R) 6%, mean volume (SD): 979 (946) mi, n=20); (ii) PS-group [Plasmasteril(R), mean volume (SD), 769 (411) mi, n= 16]; and (iii) control group (gelatin-albumin, n= 73). Results. Delayed graft function (DGF), defined as the need for dialysis during the first post-transplant week, occurred in 3/20 (15%) cases in the MS-group, in 5/16 (31%) cases in the PS-group and in 14/73 (19%) cases in the control group (P=0.450). Uni- and multivariate analysis revealed older donor age (P=0.001) and kidney preservation with histidine-tryptophan-keto-glutarate (HTK) (P=0.001) as the only factors associated with a higher incidence of DGF. Conclusions. Renal function as measured by daily serum creatinine concentration and 24 h urinary output up to 14 days post-transplantation in the MS-group was comparable with that of controls. The higher serum creatinine observed during the first seven posttransplant days in the PS-group could be related to higher donor age and haemodynamic instability, and recipient male preponderance, rather than to HES itself.
