TRANSPLANTED RENAL-ARTERY - DETECTION OF STENOSIS WITH COLOR DOPPLER US

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of various parameters on peak systo lic velocity in the transplanted renal artery and to define the normal range of peak systolic velocity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Color Doppler ultrasonographic (US) findings in 105 patients were reviewed. There we re no clinical or biologic findings suggestive of a stenosis in the tr ansplanted renal artery in these patients. The peak systolic velocity in the transplanted renal and external iliac arteries and the renal re sistive index were measured. RESULTS: A large range of peak systolic v elocities was noted in the transplanted renal artery. Peak systolic ve locity in the renal artery was statistically significantly correlated with that in the external iliac artery when there was no pronounced ve ssel curvature. There was no relationship between peak systolic veloci ty and resistive index or time between transplantation and US. High pe ak systolic velocity was associated with a pronounced vessel curvature . CONCLUSION: The normal range of peak systolic velocity in the transp lanted renal artery has considerable variability. Because of the stron g correlation, the ratio of velocity in the renal artery to that in th e external iliac artery may be useful in detection of stenosis.