RENAL VASCULAR-RESISTANCE IN AUTOSOMAL-DOMINANT POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY-DISEASE - EVALUATION WITH COLOR DOPPLER ULTRASOUND

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of color duplex Doppler ultrasonography in the assessment of renal vascul ar resistance (RVR) by measuring resistive indices (RIs) and pulsatili ty indices (PIs) in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and to correlate the measured values with renal func tion and the presence of arterial hypertension. Material and Methods: In 42 patients with ADPKD and 65 control subjects, RIs and PIs were me asured by means of color duplex Doppler sonography and correlated with clinical and laboratory findings and with morphological abnormalities at B-mode ultrasonography. Results: Mean RT in the control subjects w as 0.59+/-0.03 (+/-SD) and in the patients 0.71+/-0.11, (p<0.01). Mean PI in the controls was 1.00+/-0.11 and in the patients 1.69+/-0.21, ( p<0.01). Elevated RIs and PIs heralded a progression of ADPKD. Doppler indices correlated significantly with renal function tests and morpho logical changes in the affected kidneys at ultrasound. Significantly h igher RIs (p<0.01) and PIs (p<0.04) were measured in hypertensive ADPK D patients as compared to normotensive patients. Correlation of patien t age and Doppler indices did not reach statistical significance. Conc lusion: Doppler indices do reflect the increased RVR in patients with ADPKD and, they correlate with renal function disturbance, with the de velopment of systemic arterial hypertension, and with ultrasonographic abnormality of the kidney in these subjects.