Objective: To investigate the effect of intravenous normal saline fluid load, with and without furosemide, upon the renal resistive index (RI) of obstructed and nonobstructed kidneys.
Methods: Right partial ureteral obstruction was induced in 10 dogs. Grade 1 (mild) obstruction was performed in 5 dogs (group A), and grade 3 (severe) obstruction was carried out to the remaining 5 dogs (group B). Evaluation by Doppler ultrasonography was performed before induction of ureteral obstruction and by the end of the 8th week of obstruction. Every obstructed animal was subjected to bilateral renal Doppler ultrasonography 3 times in one setting: 1) before infusion of normal saline, 2) 30-60 minutes after intravenous infusion of normal saline (15 ml./kg.) given in a rate of 1 ml./kg./min. and 3) 10 minutes after admission of furosemide (1 mg./kg.).
Results: After induction of right partial ureteral obstruction, there was a significant increase of the RI of the right kidney and a significant decrease of the RI of the left kidney compared to baseline RI in both groups. Infusion of normal saline and administration of furosemide caused a further significant increase of the RI of the obstructed kidney and a further significant decrease of the RI in the nonobstructed kidney in both groups.
Conclusion: In unilateral partial ureteral obstruction, addition of intravenous normal saline and furosemide cause the RI to increase in obstructed kidney and to decrease in nonobstructed kidney. Such a divergent response may be useful for the development of a pharmacologically challenged Doppler examination to diagnose better potentially obstructed kidneys.