Biological effects of shock waves: kidney haemorrhage by shock waves in dogs--administration rate dependence

The effect of shock waves on normal canine kidneys was examined in two groups of dogs whose right kidneys were exposed to 3000 shock waves generated with 20 kV and 40 nF in a Dornier HM II lithotripter. The groups differed only in the rate of shock wave administration which was 100 and 1 per second, respectively. Autopsy was performed 24 to 30 h later. Macroscopically and histologically, significantly more haemorrhages occurred in the kidney parenchyma if shock waves were administered at a rate of 100 waves per second. Haemorrhages were diffuse, the outer medulla was most heavily affected. The results show that kidney damage is dependent on the rate of shock wave administration. They argue against a direct shock wave effect and favor cavitation as the mechanism of shock wave damage although thermal effects cannot be excluded.