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

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 nephrectomy patients.

Eighty-three consecutive patients who underwent DN from 2010 to 2016 were included. Pre-operative CT imaging and functional data including pre-DN baseline Global GFR (108.2 ± 13.2 mL/min/1.73m²) were included. Observed NBGFR was defined as the latest eGFR 3–12 months post-DN. SRF, defined as volume of the contralateral non-resected kidney normalised by total volume of kidneys, was determined from pre-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 ± 8.29 mL/min/1.73m²) and observed NBGFR (74.9 ± 16.4 mL/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 = 7.190 mL/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 > 45 mL/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.