Quantitative Analysis of Microperfusion in Contrast-Induced Nephropathy Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: An Animal Study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate imaging biomarkers of microperfusion in contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CIN model was fabricated by administering indomethacin (10 mg/kg), L-NAME (15 mg/kg), and iopamidol (10 mL/kg) to Sprague-Dawley rats. After 24 hours, CEUS was performed on CIN (n = 6) and control (n = 6) rats with sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles (SonoVue). From time-intensity curves obtained from the kidney arriving time (AT), acceleration time (AC), time to peak (TTP), and peak enhancement (PE) were measured and compared between the groups. After CEUS, the rats were sacrificed, and cell apoptosis markers were evaluated to confirm the development of CIN. CONCLUSION: CEUS parameters can be used as imaging biomarkers for microperfusion in CIN. In rats with CIN, AT, AC, and TTP were significantly prolonged, while PE was significantly lower compared to controls.