Radiation protection of the normal kidney by selective arterial infusions

Abstract

Successful unilateral renal radioprotection has been attained in 10 of 18 experimental animals receiving protracted and fractionated radiation to large abdominal fields and unilateral renal artery epinephrine infusions, including 6 of the last 7 animals so treated. In a pilot series of patients with Stage III ovarian malignancies who were treated in a similar manner with unilateral renal artery epinephrine infusions, successful unilateral renal radioprotection has also been achieved in 3 out of 5 evaluable patients (the other 2 patients received potentially nephritic radiation doses to both kidneys, but have not in fact developed radiation nephritis on either side). In a series of 10 experimental animals, production of temporary unilateral renal hypoxia during abdominal irradiation by the use of a balloon occlusion catheter has not proved reliable in effecting unilateral renal radioprotection. However, in a subgroup of 5 animals, the data suggest that simultaneous infusion of a vasoconstrictor combination into the superior mesenteric artery during irradiation may prevent morbidity and mortality from acute radiation enteritis, under the experimental conditions employed.