Renal Denervation and Survival Following Renal Ischemia

Recent studies have yielded conclusive evidence that the denervated kidney of the dog has greater blood flow than the normally innervated kidney under the stress of anesthesia and especially under the stress of hemorrhagic hypovolemia.¹ The present study was undertaken to learn whether complete operative renal denervation would favorably influence the survival of animals after a period of renal ischemia. At the same time, we have investigated the possible influence of other methods which might alter the innervation of the kidney, as well as other measures known to increase renal blood flow.²

Materials and Methods  Adult mongrel dogs ranging in weight from 8 to 18 kg. were used. They were anesthetized by the intravenous administration of 5% thiopental sodium. Endotracheal intubation was carried out, and the lungs were rhythmically inflated with 100% oxygen by means of a mechanical respirator. Operations were performed with aseptic technique. The aorta was