Andrew P. Evan
Bret A. Connors
Dept. of Anatomy, Indiana Univ. School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46223
Lynn R. Willis
Indiana Univ., Indianapolis, IN 46223
Anne Trout
James E. Lingeman
Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, IN 46202
It has been suggested that kidney size is a risk factor for increased shock wave lithotripsy- (SWL) induced damage. This relationship was investigated in pigs of two different ages; ten weeks of age (group 1) and five weeks of age (group 2). Each pig received 2000 shocks, 24 kV to the right kidney. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), PAH clearance and extraction were measured 1 h before and 1 and 4 h after SWL treatment. The kidneys were harvested at the end of the clearance study. Values for GFR, PAH clearance, and extraction were reduced in the shocked kidney of both groups 1 h post-SWL. Calculated values for true renal plasma flow showed a greater reduction in the treated kidneys of group 2 versus group 1. The degree of subcapsular hemorrhage and intraparenchymal bleeding and tubular disruption was more extensive in group 2 versus group 1 treated kidneys. The data document the degree of structural and functional injury induced by SWL and support the hypothesis that the effect of SWL is greatest in kidneys having the least mass. [Work supported by NIH Grant No. P01 DK 43881.]