Abstract
The effects of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) with the unmodified Dornier HM3 lithotripter on serum creatinine (Cr) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were studied in 215 patients the day before and the day after treatment. The effects were related to generator voltage, number of shock waves, target of treatment, and whether the treatments were unilateral or bilateral. A statistically significant increment of Cr was recorded in patients treated with a generator voltage of 18 kV or more, irrespective of the number of shock waves. The most pronounced increment of LDH was observed in patients treated both with a high generator voltage and with 1500 shock waves or more. Whereas the generator voltage apparently was the most important determinant for Cr, the number of shock waves was more important in affecting LDH. We concluded that ESWL should be undertaken with a low generator voltage when possible in order to reduce tissue damage.
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