Commentary

Preventing contrast-induced nephropathy: problems, challenges and future directions

Richard Solomon

University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05405-0068, USA

author email corresponding author email

BMC Medicine 2009, 7:24doi:10.1186/1741-7015-7-24

Published:	13 May 2009

Abstract

Contrast-induced nephropathy is an injury to the kidney occurring as a result of exposure to intravascular contrast media. It results in both short- and long-term adverse events including mortality. Since treatment of the injury after it has occurred is ineffective, efforts to prevent the injury are the focus of investigators and clinicians alike. In this commentary, the pathogenesis and clinical relevance of contrast-induced nephropathy are reviewed. Prophylactic strategies are discussed with a focus on the use of meta-analysis of small single-center trials.