Prognostic Value of Dynamic Tissue Perfusion Measurements in Transplanted Kidneys

Abstract

Background: The dynamic tissue perfusion measurement in renal transplants has demonstrated its potential to correlate microvascular perfusion changes with histologic changes in the renal cortex [1]. Cross sectional studies have shown that the cortical perfusion depends on the time elapsed after transplantation [2,3] but has not yet been applied as a prognostic marker. Therefore, we compared in a prospective 6-year study the initial perfusion measurements with the outcome of the graft function. Methods: In 78 renal graft recipients, standardized color Doppler sonographic videos were recorded and cortical perfusion was measured in well-defined regions of interest with the PixelFlux-software. Results: At the beginning of the study, prospectively failing grafts (requiring dialysis) had a significantly lower cortical perfusion compared to grafts with preserved function (0.40 vs. 0.57 cm/s average perfusion intensity of the entire cortex). The interval between perfusion measurement and graft failure was 2.17 years (0-6 years). Conclusions: Thus, dynamic tissue perfusion measurement may have a role in the prospective evaluation of renal transplant function.