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Intensive Care Medicine

Published in:

01-11-2012 | Review

Renal Doppler to assess renal perfusion in the critically ill: a reappraisal

Authors: David Schnell, Michael Darmon

Published in: Intensive Care Medicine | Issue 11/2012

Abstract

Purpose

To describe the method and significance of Doppler-based resistive index (RI) and to provide an updated description of its interest with a special focus on the critically ill.

Methods

Review of selected studies on RI found in the PubMed, Ovid and Cochrane databases. Additional references were retrieved from the selected studies.

Results

An increasing body of evidence suggests that renal Doppler may help to assess perfusion of native or transplanted kidneys. In addition, recent studies suggest that it may be useful in critically ill patients. The RI is a parameter derived from Doppler examination that is calculated as follows: \( {\text{RI}} = \left[ {\text{peak systolic shift}}\,-\,{\text{minimum diastolic shift}} \right]/{\text{peak systolic shift}} \). Renal Doppler has proven to be valuable for assessing large arterial or venous abnormalities and has been suggested to assess renal perfusion and to predict acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients. However, numerous factors have been shown to influence renal Doppler and may constitute potential confounding factors. Moreover, experience with critically ill patients is scant and our understanding of factors influencing RI in this setting is limited.

Conclusion

Doppler-based RI seems to be a promising tool in the critically ill to assess the risk of AKI, help in differentiating persistent from transient AKI, or assess changes in renal perfusion as consequences of therapeutic intervention. However, we still lack large, adequately powered studies in non-selected populations of patients before implementing this technique in clinical practice. In addition, the impact of several factors that may influence this parameter remains to be evaluated.

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Title: Renal Doppler to assess renal perfusion in the critically ill: a reappraisal
Authors: David Schnell
Michael Darmon
Publication date: 01-11-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Intensive Care Medicine / Issue 11/2012
Print ISSN: 0342-4642
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-012-2692-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Renal Doppler to assess renal perfusion in the critically ill: a reappraisal

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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