Study of Kidney Blood Flow Changes and Acute Kidney Injury After Traumatic Injury in ICU Patients

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how traumatic haemorrhagic shock THS affects kidney blood flow and the development of acute kidney injury AKI, a serious complication that increases the risk of death. While past studies have shown that septic shock patients with severe AKI experience reduced blood flow in the kidney cortex, little is known about these changes in THS patients. This observational study aims to better understand the impact of THS on kidney microcirculation to improve patient outcomes. The study uses several advanced imaging devices to monitor kidney blood flow. These include contrast-enhanced ultrasound CEUS, venous excess ultrasound VExUS, echocardiography, sublingual incident dark field IDF videomicroscopy, and continuous measurement of urinary oxygen tension. Measurements will be taken at enrollment, 24 hours, and 48 hours after ICU admission to track changes in renal perfusion over time. Participants will be adults admitted to the ICU within 24 hours of traumatic injury who received blood products and had elevated lactate levels. Researchers will assess kidney perfusion using cortical mean transit time, perfusion index, wash-in rate, and urinary oxygen tension. These tests will help evaluate kidney function and blood flow changes during the critical first 48 hours. The study is led by Kings College Hospital NHS Trust and runs until July 2026.

Renal Perfusion and the Development of AKI Following Traumatic Injury