Diagnostic Value of Doppler Ultrasound for Early Prediction of Reversibility of Acute Kidney Injury in Septic ICU Patients

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the ability of early discrimination between transient and persistent AKI using the color Doppler Ultrasound derived Renal Resistive Index (RI) and semi-quantitative evaluation of intra-renal vascularization in septic patients in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Additionally, the investigators aimed to identify whether these indexes are early predictors of the prognosis of renal function in this group of patients. And compare the diagnostic accuracy of those and other renal indexes for the identification of AKI reversibility.

Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study with unselected, consecutive septic patients included. Thirty-two adult septic patients hospitalized in a general ICU were studied. After the determination of sepsis, patients were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 included patients without progression to AKI, Group 2 included patients with transient AKI and Group 3 patients with persistent AKI.