Abstract: SA-PO1070
Point-of-Care Ultrasonography (PoCUS) in Kidney Transplant Management: A Paradigm Shift
Session Information
- Transplantation: Clinical - Postkidney Transplant Outcomes and Potpourri
November 08, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Transplantation
- 2102 Transplantation: Clinical
Authors
- Soundharrajan, Reshma, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
- Khan, Numair Shafiq, Medical City Healthcare, Dallas, Texas, United States
- Dathi, Prithi, Medical City Healthcare, Dallas, Texas, United States
- Agha, Irfan, Medical City Healthcare, Dallas, Texas, United States
- Khan, Naseer, Medical City Healthcare, Dallas, Texas, United States
Group or Team Name
- Dallas Renal Group at Medical City Transplant.
Background
PoCUS is a valuable non-invasive diagnostic imaging tool. While PoCUS is heavily utilized in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the emergency department (ED), its utility is not well-appreciated in the field of kidney transplantation. This study aimed to determine the utility of PoCUS in early detection and management of post renal transplant complications in the outpatient setting.
Methods
This is a single center retrospective study. A total of 83 kidney transplant patients underwent PoCUS evaluation for cause by a transplant physician properly trained in PoCUS. We reviewed the range of post-transplant complications defined using PoCUS. We then looked at the intervention provided where applicable, and the impact on management as well as any impact thereof on avoiding hospitalization.
Results
Of 83 patients evaluated, 49 (59.04%) were identified as having a post-transplant complication using PoCUS. In 24 of these patients (48.9%), PoCUS directly led to reappraisal or revision of the initial clinical assessment as noted in Table 1. Impressively, even in this small cohort, the need for hospitalization or ED referral was obviated in 32 patients (38.5%), and they were managed successfully as outpatient after clarification of definitive diagnosis. Furthermore, 9 patients (10.8%) had diagnoses established via PoCUS that triaged them promptly to inpatient care with a directed therapeutic plan.
Conclusion
Outpatient use of PoCUS in kidney transplant patients is feasible and easy to institute. It increases the efficiency of diagnosis of the most commonly seen post-transplant complications. It allowed for confident management of several patients in an outpatient setting, avoiding ED referral or hospitalization. It also positively established diagnoses, some of which needed inpatient placement but helped focus and direct care. PoCUS should become more widely adapted and utilized in bedside clinical assessment of kidney transplant patients in the clinic setting.
Funding
- Commercial Support – GE Healthcare Global Research Organization using GEHC Vscan Air SL probe.