Abhilash Koratala

Bio: Abhilash Koratala is an academic researcher from Medical College of Wisconsin. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Acute kidney injury. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 163 publications receiving 363 citations. Previous affiliations of Abhilash Koratala include University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio & University of Texas at San Antonio.

Point of Care Ultrasonography for Objective Assessment of Heart Failure: Integration of Cardiac, Vascular, and Extravascular Determinants of Volume Status.

Abstract: Background: Lingering congestion portends poor outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) and is a key target in their management. Studies have shown that physical exam has low yield in this setting and conventional methods for more precise assessment and monitoring of volume status (e.g., body weight, natriuretic peptides, and chest radiography) have significant inherent shortcomings. Summary: Point of care ultrasonography (POCUS) is a noninvasive versatile bedside diagnostic tool that enhances the sensitivity of conventional physical examination to gauge congestion in these patients. It also aids in monitoring the efficacy of decongestive therapy and bears prognostic significance. In this narrative review, we discuss the role of focused sonographic assessment of the heart, venous system, and extravascular lung water/ascites (i.e., the pump, pipes, and the leaks) in objective assessment of fluid volume status. Key Messages: Since each of the discussed components of POCUS has its limitations, a combinational ultrasound evaluation guided by the main clinical features would be the key to reliable assessment and effective management of congestion in patients with HF.

Point of care renal ultrasonography for the busy nephrologist: A pictorial review.

Abstract: The application of bedside ultrasonography in routine clinical practice has dramatically evolved over the last few decades and will likely continue to grow as technological advances lead to enhanced portability and affordability of the equipment. Despite mounting interest, most nephrology fellowship training programs do not offer formal training in renal ultrasonography and there is inertia among practicing nephrologists to adopt this skill as a practice-changing advancement. Lack of familiarity with the topic is considered a key reason for this inertia. Understanding of basic ultrasound physics, instrumentation, principles of optimal image acquisition and interpretation is critical for enhanced efficiency and patient safety while using this tool. Herein, we provide a brief overview of the basic principles of diagnostic renal ultrasonography as well as introduction to common sonographic pathologies encountered in day-to-day nephrology practice with illustrative images.

Comprehensive Assessment of Fluid Status by Point-of-Care Ultrasonography

Abstract: The management of complex fluid and electrolyte disorders is central to the practice of nephrologists. The sensitivity of physical examination alone to determine fluid status is limited, precluding accurate clinical decision making. Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is emerging as a valuable, noninvasive, bedside diagnostic tool for objective evaluation of physiologic and hemodynamic parameters related to fluid status, tolerance, and responsiveness. Rapid bedside sonographic evaluation can obtain qualitative data on cardiac function and quantitative data on pulmonary congestion. Advanced POCUS, including goal-directed Doppler echocardiography, provides additional quantitative information, including flow velocities and pressures across the cardiac structures. Recently, abnormal Doppler flow patterns in abdominal organs secondary to increased right atrial pressure have been linked to congestive organ damage, adding another component to the hemodynamic assessment. Integrating POCUS findings with clinical and laboratory data can further elucidate a patient’s hemodynamic status. This drives decisions regarding crystalloid administration or, conversely, diuresis or ultrafiltration and allows tailored therapy for individual patients. In this article, we provide an overview of the focused assessment of cardiovascular function and pulmonary and venous congestion using POCUS and review relevant literature.

Need for Objective Assessment of Volume Status in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: The Tri-POCUS Approach.

Abstract: As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread across the globe, the knowledge of its epidemiology, clinical features, and management is rapidly evolving. Nevertheless, the data on optimal fluid management strategies for those who develop critical illness remain sparse. Adding to the challenge, the fluid volume status of these patients has been found to be dynamic. Some present with several days of malaise, gastrointestinal symptoms, and consequent hypovolemia requiring aggressive fluid resuscitation, while a subset develop acute respiratory distress syndrome with renal dysfunction and lingering congestion necessitating restrictive fluid management. Accurate objective assessment of volume status allows physicians to tailor the fluid management goals throughout this wide spectrum of critical illness. Conventional point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) enables the reliable assessment of fluid status and reducing the staff exposure. However, due to specific characteristics of COVID-19 (e.g., rapidly expanding lung lesions), a single imaging method such as lung POCUS will have significant limitations. Herein, we suggest a Tri-POCUS approach that represents concurrent bedside assessment of the lungs, heart, and the venous system. This combinational approach is likely to overcome the limitations of the individual methods and provide a more precise evaluation of the volume status in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Acute Kidney Injury Network: report of an initiative to improve outcomes in acute kidney injury

Abstract: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex disorder for which currently there is no accepted definition. Having a uniform standard for diagnosing and classifying AKI would enhance our ability to manage these patients. Future clinical and translational research in AKI will require collaborative networks of investigators drawn from various disciplines, dissemination of information via multidisciplinary joint conferences and publications, and improved translation of knowledge from pre-clinical research. We describe an initiative to develop uniform standards for defining and classifying AKI and to establish a forum for multidisciplinary interaction to improve care for patients with or at risk for AKI. Members representing key societies in critical care and nephrology along with additional experts in adult and pediatric AKI participated in a two day conference in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in September 2005 and were assigned to one of three workgroups. Each group's discussions formed the basis for draft recommendations that were later refined and improved during discussion with the larger group. Dissenting opinions were also noted. The final draft recommendations were circulated to all participants and subsequently agreed upon as the consensus recommendations for this report. Participating societies endorsed the recommendations and agreed to help disseminate the results. The term AKI is proposed to represent the entire spectrum of acute renal failure. Diagnostic criteria for AKI are proposed based on acute alterations in serum creatinine or urine output. A staging system for AKI which reflects quantitative changes in serum creatinine and urine output has been developed. We describe the formation of a multidisciplinary collaborative network focused on AKI. We have proposed uniform standards for diagnosing and classifying AKI which will need to be validated in future studies. The Acute Kidney Injury Network offers a mechanism for proceeding with efforts to improve patient outcomes.

Vascular Calcification-New Insights Into Its Mechanism.

Abstract: Vascular calcification (VC), which is categorized by intimal and medial calcification, depending on the site(s) involved within the vessel, is closely related to cardiovascular disease. Specifically, medial calcification is prevalent in certain medical situations, including chronic kidney disease and diabetes. The past few decades have seen extensive research into VC, revealing that the mechanism of VC is not merely a consequence of a high-phosphorous and -calcium milieu, but also occurs via delicate and well-organized biologic processes, including an imbalance between osteochondrogenic signaling and anticalcific events. In addition to traditionally established osteogenic signaling, dysfunctional calcium homeostasis is prerequisite in the development of VC. Moreover, loss of defensive mechanisms, by microorganelle dysfunction, including hyper-fragmented mitochondria, mitochondrial oxidative stress, defective autophagy or mitophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, may all contribute to VC. To facilitate the understanding of vascular calcification, across any number of bioscientific disciplines, we provide this review of a detailed updated molecular mechanism of VC. This encompasses a vascular smooth muscle phenotypic of osteogenic differentiation, and multiple signaling pathways of VC induction, including the roles of inflammation and cellular microorganelle genesis.

Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology

Abstract: An ideal tool for all radiology residents and students, it covers all subspecialty areas and current imaging modalities as utilized in neuroradiology, chest, breast, abdominal, musculoskeletal imaging, ultrasound, pediatric imaging, interventional techniques and nuclear radiology. New and expanded topics in this edition include use of diffustion-weighted MR, new contrast agents, breast MR, and current guidelines for biopsy and intervention. Many new images, expanded content, and full-color throughout make the fourth edition of this classic text a comprehensive review that is ideal as a first reader for beginning residents, a reference during rotations, and a vital resource when preparing for the American Board of Radiology examinations.