Doppler sonography measurements of renal vascular resistance in autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical usefulness of duplex Doppler sonography in ADPKD patients by measuring the resistive indices (RIs) and pulsatility indices (PIs) of renal and interlobar arteries and investigating the correlation between these parameters and relevant clinical data.

MATERIAL/

METHODS

RI and PI in renal and interlobar arteries of 61 patients with ADPKD and 27 healthy subjects were calculated and correlated with age, serum creatinine, age at diagnosis, and duration of disease.

RESULTS

In the control subjects the median RI was 0.61 (interquartile range: 0.075) in the renal arteries and 0.58 (0.06) in the interlobar arteries vs. 0.72 (0.1) and 0.69 (0.1), respectively, in the ADPKD patients. Median PI was 1.07 (0.1425) in the renal arteries and 0.94 (0.1525) in the interlobar arteries vs. 1.41 (0.655) and 1.25 (0.395), respectively, in the ADPKD patients. Doppler indices were significantly higher in the ADPKD patients (p<0.0001). Almost all Doppler indices correlated positively and significantly with age, serum creatinine, age at diagnosis, and duration of disease. No significant correlation was observed between the indices and blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of the strong correlation between Doppler measurements of renovascular resistance and renal function tests together and duration of the disease observed in this study, this method, despite its pitfalls such as the influence of high blood pressure, compression by renal cysts, vascular calcification, and age, could be useful in the evaluation of disease progression in patients with ADPKD.