Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2025
Long-Term Continuous Measurement of Renal Blood Flow in Conscious Rats
Published on: February 8, 2022
Remember Diabetes Mellitus When Assessing Renal Blood Flow in Hypertensive Patients: A Renal Frame Count Study
Idris Buğra Çerik1, Ferhat Dindaş2, Mehmet Birhan Yılmaz3
1Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Türkiye.
Insights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) significantly reduces renal blood flow, as measured by renal frame count (RFC). This study shows lower RFC in DM patients compared to controls, linked to HbA1C levels.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus (DM) dynamically alters renal blood flow and glomerular filtration.
- Renal frame count (RFC) quantifies microvascular and macrovascular renal perfusion changes via cineangiography.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of diabetes mellitus on renal perfusion using RFC.
- To assess differences in RFC between diabetic and non-diabetic hypertensive individuals.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 110 hypertensive subjects (55 with DM, 55 controls) who underwent renal angiography.
- Calculation and comparison of RFC values between the DM and control groups.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in baseline demographics or antihypertensive medications between groups.
- Significantly lower RFC values in the DM group for the left renal artery, right renal artery, and mean RFC compared to controls (p<0.001).
- Multivariable analysis revealed HbA1C level as the sole predictor of mean RFC.
Conclusions:
- This is the first study demonstrating the influence of DM on RFC.
- Renal frame count (RFC) appears to be reduced in individuals with diabetes mellitus.
Background:
Diabetes mellitus (DM) progresses with dynamic changes in renal blood flow and glomerular filtration. Renal frame count (RFC) is a cineangiographical parameter that is capable of presenting microvascular and macrovascular changes in the renal blood flow. We aimed to show the changes, which may be caused by DM in the perfusion, by using RFC.
Methods:
Totally 110 hypertensive subjects consisting of 55 DM patients and 55 non-DM patients as a control group who underwent renal angiography were retrospectively enrolled in the study. The RFC values of all subjects were calculated and compared to each other.
Results:
There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of basal demographic characteristics and antihypertensive medications. The RFC value measured from the left renal artery was significantly lower in the DM group compared to the control group. (11.33±2.55, 13.49±3.24, respectively; p<0.001). The RFC value measured the right renal artery was detected to be significantly lower in the DM group than the control group (11.07±2.43, 13.33±3.07, respectively; p<0.001). The mean RFC value was also significantly lower in the DM group compared to the control group (11.20±2.18, 13.41±2.84, respectively;p<0.001). In the multivariable linear regression analysis conducted to determine the variables which may affect mean RFC, it was determined that only the HbA1C level had a relation with the mean RFC value.
Conclusion:
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show the influence of DM on RFC. RFC seems to decrease in DM subjects.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:19Imaging Studies VII: Vascular Imaging
01:29Physiology of the Genitourinary System I: Renal Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration
01:17Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
01:28Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
01:11Renal Failure: Dose Adjustments
Reduced renal clearance and elimination rate are common outcomes of renal impairment. These alterations lead to a prolonged elimination half-life and an altered apparent volume of distribution for drugs. As a result, dosage adjustments are typically necessary to maintain optimal drug levels in the body.
However, dosage adjustments...