MRI based Renal Resistivity Index in Chronic Kidney Disease

We show, for the first time, the feasibility of using MRI based renal resistivity index (RRI) to differentiate patients with chronic kidney disease from healthy subjects. RRI and the Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) of the abdominal aorta were calculated using quantitative phase contrast imaging. The RRI was significantly higher in CKD patients (0.71 ± 0.07) than in the healthy subjects (0.65 ± 0.04). The mean PWV was also significantly higher in CKD patient indicating hypertension and arterial stiffness in CKD. The high RRI in CKD indicates restriction to perfusion, probably due to of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the kidney.