Contrast-induced nephropathy in ITU patients: outcomes of a university hospital re-audit

Excerpt

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a significant and preventable cause of renal failure associated with increased mortality, hospital stay and long-term haemodialysis. Critically ill patients have increased risks of developing CIN due to pre-existing disease and sepsis. A university hospital audit in 2007 found that 22.2% of ITU patients had significant rises in creatinine following intravenous contrast medium (IVCM). In 2008, IVCM guidelines were implemented trust-wide to detect patients with pre-existing renal impairment and provide guidance for pre-optimisation and prophylactic measures depending on CKD stage, including early renal team involvement. A re-audit assessed the impact of IVCM guidelines in decreasing the incidence of CIN in ITU. …