Using Rubidium PET to Assess Kidney Blood Flow

Assessment of Renal Microcirculation With Rubidium Positron Emission Tomography: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Montreal Heart Institute · NCT06332456

This study is testing if a special imaging technique using Rubidium can help us understand kidney blood flow better in people with chronic kidney disease compared to healthy individuals.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorMontreal Heart Institute (other)
Locations1 site (Montréal, Quebec)
Trial IDNCT06332456 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate renal microcirculation by using Rubidium-82 positron emission tomography (PET) to measure renal blood flow (RBF) and renal vascular resistance (RVR) in both healthy individuals and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The researchers will compare RBF in CKD patients with coronary artery disease risk factors to that of healthy controls, and assess the correlation between RVR measured by PET and traditional echographic methods. Additionally, the study will investigate the reproducibility of RBF measurements using PET imaging.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 to 80 with chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as healthy controls without a history of renal disease.

Not a fit: Patients with severe aortic stenosis, documented renal artery stenosis, or those requiring dialysis may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the understanding and evaluation of renal diseases, leading to improved diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients with kidney conditions.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of PET imaging in renal assessment is emerging, this specific application with Rubidium-82 is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Control Group

1. Age ≥ 18 years and \< 80 years
2. Signed informed consent
3. No medical history of renal disease

CKD Group

1. Age ≥ 18 years and \< 80 years
2. Signed informed consent
3. GFR between 30 and 45 mL/min/1.73m2 measured within the last 3 months
4. At least two cardiovascular disease risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia

Exclusion Criteria:

Control Group

1. Hypertension
2. Diabetes
3. Dyslipidemia
4. Active smoking within the last 12 month
5. Left ventricular ejection fraction \<45%
6. BMI \>45 kg/m2
7. Severe aortic stenosis

CKD Group

1. Left ventricular ejection fraction \<45%
2. BMI \>45 kg/m2
3. Severe aortic stenosis
4. Changes in medical therapy within the last 4 weeks
5. Documented renal artery stenosis
6. Known structural cause of CKD including polycystic kidney disease, obstruction, or other post-renal causes
7. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
8. Renal failure requiring dialysis within the last 90 days

Where this trial is running

Montréal, Quebec

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Renal Microcirculation With Rubidium Positron Emission Tomography

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.