Acute renal injury may occur following the use of water-soluble radiocontrast materials, especially if certain risk factors are present.
Definition of renal damage induced by contrast material: A rise in serum creatinine >= 1 mg/dL following the procedure.
Risk Factors Reported as Associated with Contrast-Induced Acute Renal Nephrotoxicity
Patient specifics:
(1) increasing age (not specified)
(2) male gender
Hydration status:
(1) volume depletion
(2) dehydration
Concurrent renal disease:
(1) renal insufficiency
(2) proteinuria
(3) hyperuricemia (possibly reflecting gout nephropathy)
(4) exposure to other nephrotoxins
(5) renal transplantation
Other concurrent disease:
(1) anemia
(2) diabetes mellitus (presence or absence of renal disease not stated)
(3) multiple myeloma
(4) cardiovascular disease
(5) hypertension
(6) abnormal liver function
Contrast material-related:
(1) repeated exposure to radiocontrast materials over a few days
(2) volume of contrast material used (risk increases with greater volume)
(3) manner of infusion (intra-arterial vs intravenous)
NOTE: Some of these factors (dose of contrast material, route of administration, presence of diabetes) have not been confirmed as conferring significant risk.
