Debate: CON Position. Formal Assessment of Donor Kidney Function Should Be Mandatory

For urinary clearance of 125 I-iothalamate, a radioactive exogenous filtration marker is used in the measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Since an adequate (5 ml/min) urine flow is important and necessary to calculate clearance, hydration with a water load of 20 ml/kg is a prerequisite. A bolus subcutaneous injection of iothalamate is then given. To block the uptake of the radioactive tracer by the thyroid gland, ‘cold’ iodine is administered at the time of the 125 I-iothalamate administration. This requirement precludes its use in subjects with allergy to iodine, shellfish or iodinated contrast material. After equilibration for an hour, four consecutive urine collections are obtained by voluntary voiding. Water intake to replace the volume voided is necessary, which in some patients could lead to nausea or in rare Introduction