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Contrast-induced nephropathy in CT: incidence, risk factors and strategies for prevention

  • Contrast Media
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Abstract

In the past, a high percentage of hospital-acquired renal failure was attributed to contrast media. That position is now very controversial. Recently, doubts have been raised regarding the real relationship between acute kidney injury and intravenous contrast media administration. Similarly, statements about specific methods of preventing contrast-inducing nephropathy have been challenged. This review article addresses the controversies of incidence, causation, and prevention in an attempt to help the practicing radiologist adopt methods for their own department.

Key Points

• The reported CIN incidence ranges from 2–12 % following contrast-enhanced CT.

• Studies without a non-contrast CT control group may overestimate CIN incidence.

• Development and application of a comprehensive CIN prevention strategy is recommended.

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Acknowledgments

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Long Jiang Zhang. The authors of this manuscript declare relationships with the following companies: UJS is a consultant for and receives research support from Bayer, Bracco, GE, Medrad, and Siemens. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

This study has received funding from the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET-12-0260 to LJZ). No complex statistical methods were necessary for this paper. Institutional review board approval was not obtained because this is a review paper. Written informed consent was not obtained because this is a review paper. No study subjects or cohorts have been previously reported. Methodology: performed at one institution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China

    Shu Min Tao, Guang Ming Lu & Long Jiang Zhang

  2. Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Medical University of South Carolina, Ashley River Tower, MSC 226, 25 Courtenay Dr, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA

    Julian L. Wichmann, U. Joseph Schoepf & Stephen R. Fuller

  3. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany

    Julian L. Wichmann

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  1. Shu Min Tao
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  2. Julian L. Wichmann
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  3. U. Joseph Schoepf
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  5. Guang Ming Lu
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  6. Long Jiang Zhang
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Correspondence to Long Jiang Zhang.

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Tao, S.M., Wichmann, J.L., Schoepf, U.J. et al. Contrast-induced nephropathy in CT: incidence, risk factors and strategies for prevention. Eur Radiol 26, 3310–3318 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-4155-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-4155-8

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