The purpose of this study was to quantify overall blood flow and renal cortical perfusion in patients with septic acute kidney injury (AKI) using ultrasound (US) Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

Kidney ultrasound is the most widely used imaging modality in initial AKI workup as it is widely available and free of complications. It is clinically feasible to use US Doppler and contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) to detect macroscopic and microscopic changes in renal blood flow, and also cardiac output alterations.The aim was to analyze changes in US Doppler and CEUS quantitative parameters in patients with septic AKI to explore perfusion within the renal parenchyma, and also measure global renal blood flow and cardiac output.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Meets the AKI diagnostic criteria of the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO)
2. Meets Sepsis 3.0 diagnostic criteria for sepsis: infection + SOFA ≥ 2

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Urinary tract obstruction, hydronephrosis, etc.
2. Left ventricular ejection fraction <30% (measured by transthoracic echocardiography), systolic pulmonary artery pressure >90 mmHg (measured by transthoracic echocardiography)
3. Allergy or adverse reaction to contrast media

All patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit who meet the above inclusion criteria

Plan to share data publicly after patent application or academic paper publication