Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO0260

Association of Kidney Contrast-Enhanced, Ultrasound-Derived Microvascular Perfusion with Kidney Function and Histopathology

Session Information

• CKD: Omics, Systemic Stressors, and Targeted Pharmacotherapy
  October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)

• 2201 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Authors

• Jaworski, Reed Douglas, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Reed Douglas Jaworski

• Abbasi, Momen, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Momen Abbasi, MD

• Missikpode, Celestin, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Celestin Missikpode, PhD

• Prasad, Pottumarthi V., Endeavor Health, Evanston, Illinois, United States

Pottumarthi V. Prasad, PhD

• Waikar, Sushrut S., Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Sushrut S. Waikar, MD, MPH

• Lash, James P., University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States

James P. Lash, MD, FASN

• Carr, James C., Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States

James C. Carr, MBChB

• Streeter, Jason E., Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Jason E. Streeter, PhD

• Isakova, Tamara, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Tamara Isakova, MD

• Mehta, Rupal, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Rupal Mehta, MD, MS, FASN

• Srivastava, Anand, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Anand Srivastava, MD, MPH

Background

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) may assess kidney microvascular perfusion non-invasively, but data on its associations with kidney function, histopathology, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression are limited.

Methods

We performed bolus-infusion CEUS on a native kidney of 115 individuals across the spectrum of kidney function, including 34 participants that underwent a clinically-indicated native kidney biopsy. Participants with CKD were followed for 2 years after the initial CEUS scan. We calculated CEUS-derived microbubble velocity (Figure 1A), a potential measure of kidney microvascular perfusion. Spearman correlation assessed associations between microbubble velocity and kidney function. ANOVA assessed differences in microbubble velocity by CKD stage and chronic histopathologic lesions. Linear mixed effects models tested the associations of the microbubble velocity with change in eGFR over time.

Results

Eighty-eight individuals with CKD (mean age 59±16 years, eGFR 49±30 ml/min/1.73m²), 10 individuals with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD, age 55±13 years), and 17 healthy volunteers (age 45±13 years, eGFR 100±16 ml/min/1.73m²) underwent CEUS. Individuals with ESKD and CKD had lower microbubble velocity compared to healthy volunteers (Figure 1B). The microbubble velocity had moderate correlations with eGFR (Rs=0.43, P<0.001) but not UACR (Rs=0.02, P=0.83). There were no significant differences in the microbubble velocity by chronic histopathologic lesions (Figure 1C). In all individuals with CKD, microbubble velocity was not significantly associated with change in eGFR over time (P for interaction= 0.98).

Conclusion

Patients with worsening severity of CKD have lower CEUS-derived microbubble velocity. Future studies are needed to determine the application of CEUS in patients with CKD.

Funding

• NIDDK Support