Multiparametric ultrasound findings in acute kidney failure due to rare renal cortical necrosis

Renal cortical necrosis (RCN) is a rare cause of acute kidney failure and is usually diagnosed on the basis of characteristic enhancement patterns on cross-sectional imaging. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) offers benefits in patients with kidney failure in the clinical setting including the use of a nonnephrotoxic intravascular contrast agent and the fact that it can be performed at the bedside in critical cases. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate whether CEUS can reliably identify typical imaging features of RCN. We retrospectively analyzed 12 patients with RCN examined in our department and confirmation of the diagnosis by either histopathology, other contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging tests, and/or CEUS follow-up. Assessed parameters in conventional US were reduced echogenicity, loss of corticomedullary differentiation, length and width of kidney, hypoechoic rim, resistance index and in CEUS delayed wash-in of contrast agent (>20 s), reverse rim sign, maximum nonenhancing rim and additional renal infarction. Furthermore, imaging features in RCN were compared with the findings in renal vein thrombosis (RVT), among them echogenicity, corticomedullar differentiation, hypoechoic rim, RI value, delayed cortical enhancement, total loss of cortical perfusion and enhancement of renal medulla. All 12 patients showed the reverse rim sign, while a hypoechogenic subcapsular rim was only visible in four patients on B-mode ultrasound. A resistance index (RI) was available in 10 cases and was always less than 1. RI was a strong differentiator in separating RVT from RCN (RI>1 or not measurable due to hypoperfusion as differentiator, p=0.001). CEUS showed total loss of medullary enhancement in all cases of RVT. With its higher temporal resolution, CEUS allows dynamic assessment of renal macro- and microcirculation and identification of the typical imaging findings of RCN with use of a nonnephrotoxic contrast agent

Viscoelastic testing reveals normalization of the coagulation profile 12 weeks after severe COVID-19

COVID 19 is associated with a hypercoagulable state and frequent thromboembolic complications. For how long this acquired abnormality lasts potentially requiring preventive measures, such as anticoagulation remains to be delineated. We used viscoelastic rotational thrombelastometry (ROTEM) in a single center cohort of 13 critical ill patients and performed follow up examinations three months after discharge from ICU. We found clear signs of a hypercoagulable state due to severe hypofibrinolysis and a high rate of thromboembolic complications during the phase of acute illness. Three month follow up revealed normalization of the initial coagulation abnormality and no evidence of venous thrombosis in all thirteen patients. In our cohort the coagulation profile was completely normalized three months after COVID-19. Based on these findings, discontinuation of anticoagulation can be discussed in patients with complete venous reperfusion

Thromboembolic complications in critically ill COVID-19 patients are associated with impaired fibrinolysis

Background: There is emerging evidence for enhanced blood coagulation in coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) patients, with thromboembolic complications contributing to morbidity and mortality. The mechanisms underlying this prothrombotic state remain enigmatic. Further data to guide anticoagulation strategies are urgently required. Methods: We used viscoelastic rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) in a single-center cohort of 40 critically ill COVID-19 patients. Results: Clear signs of a hypercoagulable state due to severe hypofibrinolysis were found. Maximum lysis, especially following stimulation of the extrinsic coagulation system, was inversely associated with an enhanced risk of thromboembolic complications. Combining values for maximum lysis with D-dimer concentrations revealed high sensitivity and specificity of thromboembolic risk prediction. Conclusions: The study identifies a reduction in fibrinolysis as an important mechanism in COVID-19-associated coagulopathy. The combination of ROTEM and D-dimer concentrations may prove valuable in identifying patients requiring higher intensity anticoagulation