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Ultrasound could prevent complication following kidney surgery

Monday 5th August 2013
Ultrasound could prevent complication following kidney surgery
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Ultrasound has been highlighted as a key factor that could prevent complications in patients recovering from kidney surgery.

A team of researchers from the University of Virginia conducted a study, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, which found that ultrasound treatments were effective at preventing acute kidney injury (AKI) when a person is recovering after surgery. The work was carried out on mice but the researchers explained that there could be a "rapid translation" to human studies as the process was simple and routine.

AKI is the term given to replace acute renal failure and a diagnosis relies on decreased glomerular filtration rate, increased serum creatinine or cystatin C or oliguria. It can cause a sudden loss of kidney function which can be prevalent when a person has suffered a heart attack, pneumonia or a bout of diarrhoea. The researchers believe the tests on mice could lead the way for potential new therapies.

The team of the University of Virginia applied ultrasound to the anaesthetised mice using a route clinical imaging system 24 hours prior to disrupting the blood supply to the kidneys. After the blood flow was restored the researchers found that the mice had healthy kidneys. They concluded that the ultrasound had managed to stimulate anti-inflammatory response from the spleen which protected the kidneys.

Dr Mark Okusa, who led the study, said: "Our studies using non-invasive ultrasound now provide us with an active treatment that appears to be simple, effective, and non-toxic for the prevention of acute kidney injury. To our knowledge this has never been described for the prevention of tissue or organ injury."

The researchers hope that these findings will be able to help people that are in the recovery process of kidney surgery. The main goal is to ensure that there no complications following the operation and that they get back to full health as quickly as possible.

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written by James PuckleADNFCR-1780-ID-801620989-ADNFCR

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