Renal Resistive Index as A Potential Indicator of Acute Kidney Injury in Horses.
Abstract: Reliable and simple tests are constantly being sought to enable the quick detection of acute kidney injury in humans and animals. Diagnosis of subclinical AKI in horses, mainly in field practice, is difficult. An ultrasound scan is a routine test performed when kidney disease is suspected. The aim of the study was to establish the value of the renal resistive index (RRI) in intrarenal arteries in horses with clinical AKI and compare it to that of healthy horses. The second goal was to determine whether potentially nephrotoxic agents can influence RRI. The kidney ultrasonography examination was performed in 30 healthy horses, 11 horses with AKI and 30 horses at risk for AKI (10 colic horses, 10 horses receiving gentamicin and 10 horses receiving NSAIDs). RRI values were measured using pulsed-wave Doppler. Differences in RRI between groups were observed only in the right kidney. Horses with AKI had significantly higher RRI values compared to healthy horses. In the risk group, there was no effect of potentially nephrotoxic agents on the RRI value. RRI value in horses seem to be lower than in other species. The increase in this parameter in horses with AKI affected only one kidney and these values did not reach values obtained in other species. The clinical application of this method in non-cooperating animals remains questionable, and therefore RRI Doppler ultrasonography of blood flow in the intrarenal arteries may have poor clinical utility as a diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of AKI in horses.
Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2021-05-24 PubMed ID: 34281637DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103662Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research tries to identify if Renal Resistive Index (RRI) can help detect acute kidney injury (AKI) in horses. However, the study suggests that it may not be an effective diagnostic tool due to inconsistencies in RRI values in horses compared to other species, and its complex application in non-cooperative animals.
Objective and Methodology of the Study
- The purpose of the study was to find out if the Renal Resistive Index (RRI) can serve as a diagnostic tool for acute kidney injury (AKI) in horses, and to compare these RRI values with those of healthy horses. In addition, the study sought to examine the impact of potentially nephrotoxic agents on the RRI values.
- The study involved 71 horses divided into three groups – 30 healthy, 11 with AKI and 30 at risk for AKI (10 horses with colic, 10 receiving gentamicin, and 10 receiving NSAIDs).
- For the assessment of AKI, a kidney ultrasonography examination was conducted using pulsed-wave Doppler, and RRI values were observed in intrarenal arteries of all participating horses.
Results and Findings
- The results showed only the right kidney displayed differing RRI values across the groups. The horses with AKI exhibited significantly higher RRI values compared to the healthy ones.
- However, there was no effect of potentially nephrotoxic agents on horse’s RRI value, contradicting an expected result. This means even horses at risk of AKI did not show higher RRI.
- Interestingly, the RRI values in horses were found to be lower than in other species. The increase in RRI values among horses experiencing AKI was also noticeable in just one kidney, and these values did not reach the levels found in other species.
Implications and Conclusion
- The increase in this parameter in horses with AKI, affecting only one kidney, and the lower RRI values than other species, suggests that RRI might not be a reliable indicator for AKI diagnosis in horses.
- Moreover, the practical use of this method in non-cooperating animals remains a challenge, indicating this particular diagnostic approach – RRI Doppler ultrasonography of blood flow in intrarenal arteries – may not be useful in diagnosing AKI in horses in veterinary practice.
Cite This Article
APA
Siwinska N, Zak A, Slowikowska M, Paslawska U.
(2021).
Renal Resistive Index as A Potential Indicator of Acute Kidney Injury in Horses.
J Equine Vet Sci, 103, 103662.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103662 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland. Electronic address: natalia.siwinska@upwr.edu.pl.
- Department of Immunology, Pathophysiology and Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.
- Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
- Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland; Veterinary Institute, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences Nicolaus Copernicus University Toruń ul. Toruń, Poland.
MeSH Terms
- Acute Kidney Injury / chemically induced
- Acute Kidney Injury / veterinary
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Kidney / diagnostic imaging
- Prospective Studies
- Risk Factors
- Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Evangelista GC, Dornelas LR, Cintra CC, Valente FL, Favarato ES, da Fonseca LA, Reis EC. Evaluating feline lower urinary tract disease: Doppler ultrasound of the kidneys. J Feline Med Surg 2023 Jan;25(1):1098612X221145477.
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