Hypothermic reconditioning after cold storage improves postischemic graft function in isolated porcine kidneys.

Delayed graft function still represents a major complication in clinical kidney transplantation. Here we tested the possibility to improve functional outcome of cold stored kidneys a posteriori by short-term hypothermic machine perfusion immediately prior to reperfusion. A total of 18 kidneys from female German Landrace pigs was flushed with Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate solution and cold-stored for 18 h (control).