Correlation between renal ultrasonography and serum cystatin C in acute kidney disease of critically ill dogs

Abstract

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined as the rapid decline in kidney function. Its development is related to critical clinical statuses, such as sepsis, complicated post-surgical recovery, and infectious diseases. Serum cystatin C (CysC) has the best correlation with the glomerular filtration rate. Ultrasonography stands out because it is highly accessible and can be done at the bedside. Twenty-eight dogs admitted to the intensive care unit with serum creatinine values <1.6 mg/dL and at-risk factors of AKI development were selected. CysC measurements and ultrasound assessments were performed daily for 72 hours. Using CysC dosage, 22/28 animals (78.6%) were considered to have AKI, and 17/22 had ultrasound compatible with AKI changes, demonstrating moderate agreement with CysC dosage. Increased cortical renal echogenicity is the most prevalent alteration in critically ill patients and is correlated with serum increases in CysC and is associated with renal structural damage.