Predicting new-baseline glomerular filtration rate (NBGFR) after donor nephrectomy: validation of a split renal function (SRF)-based formula.

Abstract

Accurate prediction of post-donor nephrectomy (DN) glomerular filtration rate is potentially useful for evaluating and counselling living kidney donors. Currently, there are limited tools to evaluate post-operative new-baseline glomerular filtration rate (NBGFR) in kidney donors. We aim to validate a conceptually simple formula based on split renal function (SRF)previously developed for radical nephrectomypatients. Eighty-three consecutive patients who underwent DN from 2010 to 2016 were included. Pre-operative CT imaging and functional data including pre-DNbaselineGlobal GFR (108.2 ± 13.2mL/min/1.73m2) were included.ObservedNBGFR was defined as the latest eGFR 3-12months post-DN. SRF, defined as volume of the contralateral non-resected kidney normalised by total volume of kidneys, was determined frompre-operative cross-sectional imaging (49.2 ± 2.36%). The equation derived from Rathi et al. is as detailed: Predicted NBGFR = 1.24 × (Global GFR Pre-DN) x (SRF). The relationship between predicted NBGFR (66.0 ± 8.29mL/min/1.73m2) and observed NBGFR (74.9 ± 16.4mL/min/1.73m2) was assessed by evaluating correlation coefficients, bias, precision, accuracy, and concordance. The new SRF-based formula for NBGFR prediction correlated strongly with observed post-operative NBGFR (Pearson's r = 0.729) demonstrating minimal bias (median difference = 7.190mL/min/1.73m2) with good accuracy (96.4% within ± 30%, 62.7% within ± 15%) and precision (IQR of bias = - 0.094 to 16.227). The SRF-based formula was also able to accurately discriminate all but one patient to an NBGFR of > 45mL/min/1.73m2. We utilised the newly developed SRF-based formula for predicting NBGFR in a living kidney donor population. Counselling of donor post-operative renal outcomes may then be optimised pre-operatively.