Hemodialysis and Transplantation in Adults With Polycystic Renal Disease

Thirty-six patients with chronic renal failure due to polycystic kidney disease have been placed in the dialysis-transplant program at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital since 1960. Hematuria and pyelonephritis occurred more frequently in this group of patients and sometimes required bilateral nephrectomy for control. When compared with other patients receiving dialysis, polycystic patients who did not undergo nephrectomy maintained higher hematocrit values and required fewer transfusions. Polycystic patients had posttransplant courses similar to those of other transplant patients, and extrarenal polycystic disease is not a contraindication to transplantation. These patients are usually good candidates for long-term hemodialysis or renal transplantation or both.