Risk Factors for Contrast-Induced Nephrotoxicity Debated

Conflicting with current belief, a new study finds that patients with a history of diabetes are not one of the most at risk for contrast-induced nephrotoxicity. Instead, the study revealed that patients with a history of renal disease, hypertension, and/or heart disease are more likely to suffer from renal insufficiency, putting them at greater risk for contrast-induced nephrotoxicity.

The study, conducted at Northwestern Memorial Hospital-Northwestern University (Chicago, IL, USA), included 2,404 patients. All patients underwent an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) test immediately before undergoing a CT examination. “Since all patients underwent the eGFR test, we had an unusual opportunity to see if the traditional risk factors truly predict reduced renal function,” said Vahid Yaghmai, MD, one of the authors of the study.

The investigators found, “patients with history of renal disease, hypertension, and heart disease had significantly higher odds of having abnormal eGFR,” said Dr. Yaghmai. That was not the case for patients with diabetes, he said.

Many facilities request that patients to fill out a survey to help determine if the patients are at risk for contrast-induced nephropathy, according to Dr. Yaghmai. Based on the survey results, patients most at risk undergo a test to measure their renal function. “Measuring eGFR right before the CT scan can help us more accurately determine at-risk patients. Our results suggest that history of diabetes is not independent predictors of having reduced renal function,” noted Dr. Yaghmai.

The study was presented May 1, 2012, during the 2012 American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) annual meeting in Vancouver (BC, Canada).

Related Links:

Northwestern Memorial Hospital-Northwestern University