Erythrocytosis in renal allograft recipients. Benefit of staggered venous erythropoietin measurements.

Two adult renal allograft recipients experienced erythrocytosis--one in acute form--within 3 months of grafting. Involvement of well functioning transplanted kidneys was unlikely whereas staggered erythropoietin measurements detected a high gradient in front of venous remnant kidneys. Because of these results bilateral nephrectomy was performed, which cured polycythaemia. Multiple events leading to polycythaemia after renal transplantation are reviewed and diagnosis and therapeutic schedules are proposed.