Ultrasound Treatment Can Prevent and Treat Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Kidney Cross Section

A new study to be published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) shows that applying ultrasound to the kidneys prior to a major operation, where blood flow to the kidneys is disrupted, may help preserve and protect the kidneys after blood flow is restored. It is believed that the ultrasound treatment stimulates an anti-inflammatory response that protects the kidneys.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) happens when the kidneys are unable to filter waste products from the blood. This leads to a waste buildup in the blood which may reach to dangerous and even deadly levels. AKI, although reversible, can be fatal for critically ill patients.

Patients who have undergone major surgery are prone to acute kidney injury because the kidneys are deprived of normal blood flow during the procedure.

Ultrasound therapy have been in the forefront of non-invasive and drug free treatments for a host of conditions. Just recently, a study was published showing that ultrasound can also accelerate wound healing and tissue repair.

Another development in the medical utilization of ultrasound is ultrasound surgery which is used as a non-invasive treatment of benign and malignant tumors.