Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for Kidney Transplant

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a promising non-invasive imaging tool that may aid in the early detection of kidney transplant complications, such as delayed graft function (DGF) and acute allograft rejection. The technique uses an intravenous contrast agent to improve organ visualization with standard duplex ultrasound equipment. A number of FDA-approved agents, including Optison, Definity and Lumason are widely used to improve visualization in technically limited echocardiograms, and Lumason was recently approved for contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the liver. The specific aims of this study are to: develop, implement and refine a contrast-enhanced ultrasound protocol using Lumason to safely maximize kidney allograft visualization; determine associations between contrast-enhanced ultrasound and patterns of allograft injury consistent with delayed graft function; and to compare contrast-enhanced ultrasound with duplex ultrasound for differentiating acute rejection from other causes of dysfunction.