OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between platelet parameters and delayed graft function (DGF) early after kidney transplantation.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 232 recipients within 2 months following kidney transplantation performed between January, 2009 and September, 2013, among whom 29 experienced DGF. The laboratory data of the preoperative and postoperative platelets were collected from all the recipients.

RESULTSCompared with the preoperative levels, the platelet number (PLT) and platelet hematocrit (PCT) were decreased on day 1 after kidney transplantation and was the lowest on day 5 (P<0.05), followed by gradual increase till reaching the highest levels on day 15 (P<0.05) and recovery of the preoperative level in days 30-60. The average platelet volume (MPV), platelet volume distribution width (PDW) and large platelet ratio (P-LCR) were increased on day 1, highest on day 7 (P<0.05), and reduced to the preoperative level on day 15, but then rose again slowly. MPV and P-LCR in days 30 to 60 and PDW in days 45 to 60 were significantly higher than the preoperative levels (P<0.05). The patients with DGF showed lowered PLT than those without DGF since day 2, and this difference was statistically significant in days 7 to 10, while PCT remained comparable between the two groups; MPV, PDW, and P-LCR were higher in DGF group than in DGF-free group with statistically significant difference on days 7, 10, and 15 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPlatelet function is associated with postoperative renal graft function recovery, and platelet parameters can provide new markers for monitoring the occurrence and reversion of DGF.