#2115 Phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) for quantification of volumetric flow in renal transplant arteries: an observational cohort study
Authors: Martin Paul , Gedroyc Wladyslaw , Corbett Richard , Willicombe Michelle 
Published: May 2024

Background and Aims

Impaired renal transplant blood flow, a manifestation of severe transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS), can negatively impact transplant function and survival.

Phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) is a non-invasive method of quantifying blood flow volume. Recent work has demonstrated the utility of this technique in measuring native renal blood flow, whilst validating the use of flow measurements taken on the aorta above and below the origin of the renal arteries to calculate flow in the renal arteries [1].

As part of a quality improvement study incorporating PC-MRI into renal transplant assessment, this study set out to (a) establish the normal range for transplant renal blood flow volume and (b) assess whether PC-MRI improved screening for TRAS.

Method

Between January 2019 and February 2021, PC-MRI sequences were included in the protocols for all magnetic resonance angiograms (MRA) performed as part of clinically-indicated renal transplant assessment. As part of the MRA study, using a coronal localizer MR image, planes were prescribed on the external iliac artery (EIA) both proximal and distal to the transplant artery anastomosis site in a perpendicular orientation (Fig. 1A).

Using CV142 software [2], arterial cross-sections were highlighted manually at the pre-determined planes (Fig. 1B) to generate flow curves that coincided with the cardiac cycle (Fig. 1C). Studies were excluded if: the EIA flow waveform was incongruous with the cardiac cycle, contemporaneous heart rate data was not recorded, or the calculated flow volume was a negative value.

Results

During the study period 392 transplant MRAs were performed, of which 218 were included in this analysis. Potential TRAS was identified in 49 (22.5%) studies, with 19 (8.7%) having this diagnosis confirmed by intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA). In the 169 (77.5%) studies without evidence of TRAS, the mean flow in the proximal EIA was 0.90 L/min (95% CI 0.85-0.94 L/min) and in the distal EIA 0.47 L/min (95% CI 0.44-0.50 L/min). The difference between the two measurement points, that is the flow in the transplant renal artery, was 0.42 L/min (95% CI 0.39-0.45 L/min) (Fig. 2A).

In the 19 studies with TRAS confirmed by IADSA, mean flow at the time of the initial MRA was 0.34 L/min (95% CI 0.25-0.43 L/min); there was no difference when compared with the group without evidence of TRAS on MRA (p = 0.09) (Fig. 2B). Of the patients who had potential TRAS identified on MRA, 30 patients proceeded to IADSA; there was no difference in PC-MRI flow volume in the 11 who had a diagnosis of TRAS refuted on IADSA and the 19 who had diagnosis of TRAS confirmed (p = 0.97).

ROC curve analysis of PC-MRI arterial flow measurement as a diagnostic test for TRAS, whereby the positive group of 19 had IADSA confirmed TRAS, the negative group of 176 had either normal MRA artery appearances or normal IADSA, and the disease prevalence is 13.7% [3], shows AUC 0.62 (95% CI 0.55-0.69) P = 0.09, sensitivity 57.9 specificity 67.1 (Fig. 2C).

Conclusion

This is the largest study to incorporate functional PC-MRI sequences into MRA protocols for the assessment of people with any form of kidney disease. The results suggest that the blood flow volume in healthy transplant renal arteries lies between 0.39–0.45 L/min.

In comparative analysis between patients with healthy transplant arteries and those with IADSA-confirmed TRAS, there was no difference in arterial flow volume, though the study was limited by the small population in the group with IADSA-confirmed TRAS. PC-MRI does not appear to improve the screening accuracy of MRA in identifying TRAS. However, there may be a future role for PC-MRI as part of multi-parametric MR protocols for comprehensive assessment of patients with kidney transplants.