High Resistive Index in Transplant Kidneys Is a Possible Predictor for Biopsy Complications

Abstract Background Transplant kidney biopsies are performed to determine a histological diagnosis for specific patient treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate if Resistive Index (RI) could be a predictor for biopsy complications. Methods In this study, 220 consecutive transplant kidney biopsies (136 men and 84 women; median age, 55.5 years) were prospectively included. RI (median, 0.7) was measured by use of ultrasound. Histological diagnoses and biopsy complications were registered. Biopsy needles were either 16- or 18-gauge. Biopsies were performed by radiologists and were carried out as an outpatient procedure (70%) or an inpatient procedure (30%). Usually three passes per biopsy were performed. Results The overall complication rate was 6.8%, divided into major (4.5%) and minor (2.3%) complications. An RI ≥0.8 predicts major (13.3% versus 3.2%; risk ratio [RR], 4.2; confidence interval [CI], 1.3–14.1; P = .03) and overall biopsy complications (16.7% versus 5.3%; RR, 3.2; CI, 1.2–8.6; P = .04) compared with RI