Real-time contrast-enhanced sonography of renal transplant recipients predicts chronic allograft nephropathy

Am J Transplant. 2006 Mar;6(3):609-15. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2005.01224.x.

Abstract

Real-time contrast-enhanced sonography (RT-CES) can assess microvascular tissue perfusion using gas-filled microbubbles. The study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of RT-CES in detecting chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) in comparison to color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS). A total of 26 consecutive renal transplant recipients were prospectively studied using RT-CES and conventional CDUS. Transplant tissue perfusion imaging was performed by low-power imaging during i.v. administration of the sonocontrast Optison. Renal tissue perfusion was assessed quantitatively using flash replenishment kinetics of microbubbles to estimate renal blood flow A *beta (A = peak signal intensity, beta= slope of signal intensity rise). In contrast to conventional CDUS resistance and pulsatility indices, renal blood flow estimated by CES was highly significant related to S-creatinine (r =-0.62, p = 0.0004). Determination of renal blood flow by CES reached a higher sensitivity (91% vs. 82%, p < 0.05), specificity (82% vs. 64%, p < 0.05) and accuracy (85% vs. 73%, p < 0.05) for the diagnosis of CAN as compared to conventional CDUS resistance indices. Perfusion parameters derived from RT-CES significantly improve the early detection of CAN compared to conventional CDUS. RT-CES using low-power real-time perfusion imaging is a feasible method to evaluate microvascular perfusion in renal allograft recipients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Albumins* / administration & dosage
  • Blood Flow Velocity / physiology
  • Contrast Media / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Fluorocarbons* / administration & dosage
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / etiology
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / physiopathology
  • Kidney Transplantation / diagnostic imaging*
  • Male
  • Microspheres
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Time Factors
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Albumins
  • Contrast Media
  • FS 069
  • Fluorocarbons