Novel non-invasive and quantitative assessment of the renal function of transplanted kidneys using Doppler ultrasonography with the vascular index of superb microvascular imaging

• Published in: Ultrasonography Vol. 44; no. 2; pp. 160 - 169
• Main Authors: Bae, Sung Hwan, Lee, Eun Ji, Hwang, Jiyoung, Hong, Seong Sook, Chang, Yun-Woo, Nam, Boda
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society of Ultrasound in Medicine 01.03.2025
• Subjects: color doppler ultrasonography; glomerular filtration rate; kidney transplantation; Original; ultrasonography; Color Doppler ultrasonography; Ultrasonography; Glomerular filtration rate; Kidney transplantation
• ISSN: 2288-5919; 2288-5943
• DOI: 10.14366/usg.24176

Purpose: This study assessed the reproducibility and clinical value of the vascular index (VI), derived from superb microvascular imaging (SMI) using Doppler ultrasonography, for evaluating renal function in transplanted kidneys.Methods: This retrospective study included 63 renal transplant patients who underwent grayscale and Doppler ultrasonography with SMI from January 2022 to February 2023. The VI of the transplanted kidneys was measured using three methods (VI box , VI F1 , VI F2 ). The VI was compared across chronic kidney disease (CKD) groups categorized by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) CKD risk groups based on eGFR and albuminuria. The correlation between VI and renal function was evaluated. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to identify predictors of eGFR.Results: Significant differences in VI were observed among CKD groups based on eGFR (VI box , P=0.001; VI F1 , P<0.001; VI F2 , P<0.001) and KDIGO CKD groups based on eGFR and albuminuria (VI box , P=0.039; VI F1 , P=0.001; VI F2 , P<0.001). VI F1 and VI F2 demonstrated moderate/high correlations with eGFR (r=0.627, P<0.001 and r=0.657, P<0.001, respectively) and serum creatinine (r=-0.626, P<0.001 and r=-0.649, P<0.001, respectively). VI box moderately correlated with eGFR (r=0.445, P<0.001). Multivariate regression identified the urine albumincreatinine ratio (ACR) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.122; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.007 to, 0.000; P=0.030) and VI F2 (aOR, 1.114; 95% CI, 0.466 to 1.235; P<0.001) were independently associated with eGFR.Conclusion: The VI measured by drawing a region of interest along the border of the transplanted kidney in SMI (VI F2 ) is highly reproducible and correlates well with eGFR. Both VI F2 and ACR independently predict eGFR.