Comparison of the Resistive Index to Clinical Parameters in Dogs With Renal Disease

The resistive index (RI) is a measurement of arteriole vascular resistance and is obtained by pulsed‐wave Doppler interrogation. The diagnostic potential of the renal resistive index (RI) was retrospectively investigated in 142 kidneys from 81 dogs. The resistive index of each kidney was compared to clinical laboratory parameters, clinical diagnoses, and sonographic findings. The mean renal resistive index (RI) for 22 normal kidneys was 0.61 (standard deviation = 0.06). An elevation in the mean renal RI (>0.70) was found for the clinical diagnoses of acute renal failure and congenital dysplasia. When a RI of greater than 0.70 was considered abnormal, the sensitivity and specificity of the RI in determining normal vs, abnormal kidneys were 38% and 96% respectively.