Abstract
Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is known as the third most common cause of iatrogenic acute kidney injury after severe hypotension and surgery.
Objectives: to assess the risk and estimate the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in low-risk patients.
Methods: A retrospective study was done in King Abdul-Aziz University hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data about adult patients who underwent CT was collected from electronic records of the Emergency Department. Patients were divided into two groups with and without injections of IV contrast, evenly. Data about patients' demographics, diagnosis, chronic comorbidity, nephrotoxic medication, and serum creatinine were collected.
Results: No significant difference was found in the pre-contrast serum creatinine in both groups, while eGFR was significantly higher among those receiving contrast media. Serum creatinine after 48 hours showed a significantly lower level while eGFR was significantly higher among those receiving contrast media. Before and 48 hours after the radiology, significant improvement was found between serum creatinine and eGFR levels among all patients, while the eGFR showed significant improvement among patients who received contrast media. About 26% of patients showed rising serum creatinine; of them and 10.5% of them matched the KDIGO guidelines for the diagnosis of acute kidney injury. Patients with worsening kidney function were older, diabetics and hypertensives. Age was the most independent predictor for worsening of kidney function..
Conclusion: In the current clinical setting, the administration of contrast media is not associated with an increased incidence of acute kidney injury.