Fluid status in the brain-dead donor is often difficult to assess. We hypothesized that using base deficit as a measure of tissue perfusion will facilitate fluid management in these donors, thereby improving renal allograft function. Consecutive donors over a 12-month period were prospectively studied. In Group I, resuscitation was based on maintaining normal blood pressure and urine output. In Group II, additional parameters of resuscitation included the correction of base deficit. Immediate renal allograft function was examined in the 48 recipients. Delayed graft function occurred in 48% of Group I, and in 19% of Group II recipients. Creatinine clearance on day 7, calculated by the Cockroft-Gault formula, was 29 +/- 6 mL/min in Group I versus 41 +/- 8 mL/min in Group II. We conclude that correcting base deficit is an extremely useful approach to expedite organ recovery and potentially improve function of transplanted kidneys.