Objective To explore the early predictive value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for delayed graft function (DGF) in renal transplantation patients.

Methods From April 2017 to March 2018, 68 patients with renal allograft who underwent routine ultrasound and CEUS examination on the first day after operation at the Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University were included. The patients were divided into normal graft function group (NGF group, n=58) and delayed graft function group (DGF group, n=10). Transplanted kidney size, peak systolic velocity (PSV) and resistance index (RI) of segmental and interlobar arteries were recorded. The time-intensity curve (TIC) of transplant renal cortex was performed through CEUS, and the rise time (RT), rising slope (k), peak intensity (PI), time to peak (TTP), mean transit time (mTT), and the area under the curve (AUC) were recorded.

Results Doppler ultrasound showed that the RI values of segmental artery and interlobar artery in the DGF group were significantly higher than those in the NGF group (P < 0.01). CEUS showed that the PI and the AUC in the DGF group were significantly lower than those in the NGF group (P < 0.05). The other ultrasound parameters showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups.

Conclusions CEUS can quantitatively analyze the microcirculation of transplant kidney, and has the advantages of non-invasiveness and high repeatability which are of great clinical value for the early diagnosis of DGF.