In a recent article from the Mayo Clinic1, researchers concluded that CIN after administration of contrast medium is associated with increased mortality (30-day mortality for patients developing CIN was 15.6% vs. 5.2% for patients not developing CIN). This risk is higher in patients in whom contrast medium is administered intravenously than in those in whom it is administered intra-arterially.
Researchers set out to define outcomes from contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after both intra-arterial and intravenous administration of contrast medium. The retrospective study was gathered from the Mayo database (12,618 patients) with pre-contrast and post-contrast creatinine values where there was at least one creatinine value available within 7 days before and after exposure. The data was generated from Mayo Clinic’s site in Rochester, MN, from April 1, 2004, to March 31, 2006.
In describing preventive measures against CIN, George M. Ebert, M.D., Ph.D., ("Predicting and Preventing Contrast-Induced Nephropathy," Imaging Economics, June 2006) recommends that “Radiologists should… use the smallest volume of contrast needed to obtain images of clinical importance.” Dr. Ebert writes, “Hydration treatment should be continued during the radiographic procedure and should continue for 4 to 6 hours afterward.”
In conclusion he emphasizes that “the risk of a patient developing CIN is very real." He urges radiologists to understand the vital role they play, due to their training, to manage CIN risk and the impact is has on patients.
Copies of the Mayo Clinic study and/or Dr. Ebert's article are available by request from local MEDRAD Sales and Clinical Support representatives. Find your representative and contact them now for your copy.
1FROM, Aaron M., et al., Mortality Associated With Nephropathy After Radiographic Contrast Exposure. Mayo Clin Proc. 2008;83:1095-1100 © 2008 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research