ABSTRACT
Canine studies have shown that warm ischemic intervals of up to 30 minutes can be tolerated by the kidney, with eventual full recovery of function. With greater periods of warm ischemia, there is significant immediate functional loss with either incomplete or absent delayed recovery of renal function. The proximal tubular cells are the most susceptible and show varying degrees of necrosis, while the glomeruli and blood vessels are generally spared. In humans, 30 minutes is the maximum tolerable period of warm ischemia, before permanent damage may ensue (1). Anecdotally, a solitary kidney has been shown to be more resilient to ischemic damage as compared to bilaterally normal kidneys. The exact mechanism remains uncertain.
