Renal Resistive Index Not Only for Kidney Clinics

Renal Resistive Index (RRI) is a measurement of the resistance of the renal blood flow. A value higher than 0.70 is a marker of increased resistance and is correlated with kidney injury and its severity. Additionally, it may be associated with the mortality rate in the post-surgery population. In COVID-19 subjects, we found that high RRI has been associated with high levels of serum C-reactive protein, a marker of systemic inflammatory reaction syndrome. Finally, we propose RRI not only as a marker of kidney injury, but also as a tool to evaluate the course of critical illness.

Automated summary

RRI above 0.70 is associated with increased renal blood flow resistance, kidney injury, mortality rate in post-surgery patients, and high levels of serum C-reactive protein in COVID-19 subjects. It can be used as a tool to evaluate the course of critical illness.