Prevention of Radiographic Contrast Nephropathy

Radiographic Contrast Nephropathy General Information

Before you can become familiar with this clinical disorder – commonly referred to as Radiographic Contrast Nephropathy, you should become acquainted with the meaning of the clinical term, “nephropathy”. This medical term defines a medical condition that is mainly characterized by damage of the patient’s kidneys. An old synonym for this medical condition is nephrosis.

Most substances of contrast that are commonly employed in nowadays fluoroscopy and / or radiography are known to be iodine-based products; this is due to the fact that iodine is a radiopaque substance which is able to attenuate X-rays. In other words, such substances are known to provide great soft-tissue backgrounds contrast. The contrast agents which are employed in the radiographic clinical evaluation may be osmolar (ionic) or non-ionic. The ionic type of contrast agent must not be employed for injections in the bronchial tree and / or the spinal canal or for myelography. There are 2 main types of non-ionic contrast substances: the low-osmolar, and the iso-osmolar agents. The former is known to lead to very few contrast-related clinical complications; however, some patients who have been administered this contrast agent have developed allergic reactions to the substance or an unwanted Radiographic Contrast Nephropathy.

Prevention of Radiographic Contrast Nephropathy

All individuals who are to undergo a radiographic clinical evaluation should be submitted special medical examinations that will determine whether the patient is allergic to any of the components of the contrast agent that is to be employed. Such individuals should also be well aware of the main Prevention of Radiographic Contrast Nephropathy therapeutic options. For this reason, most PDs inform their patients regarding the risks that this clinical evaluation is known to imply, and the simplest ways in which one can effectively prevent experiencing them.

Unfortunately, almost all iodinated radio-contrast agents are known to present nephro-toxic effects. Although physicians have not yet been able to determine the accurate mechanism of toxicity, they suspect that it is the result of a combination between ATN and renal vasoconstriction. There are several risk factors which are known to make an individual more prone to developing such a renal medical condition (all individuals who want to know more about Prevention Of Radiographic Contrast Nephropathy should closely study these risk factors): the administration of abnormally high doses of a certain hyperosmolar contrast substance (this may arise during percutaneous coronary clinical interventions), the presence of disorders such as multiple myeloma, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency (if the patient’s serum creatinine levels are higher than 2 mg/dL), old age, and so on. Most Prevention of Radiographic Contrast Nephropathy guide-books are known to emphasize on the fact that individuals who are currently using ACE inhibitors and / or any NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) are known to present a higher risk of developing this renal complication.

The most common medical techniques that may be employed in the Prevention of Radiographic Contrast Nephropathy involve the use of NaHCO3 (which presents far more beneficial results than the use of NaCl). Most patients are administered an infusion of NaHCO3 about 60 minutes before they are given the decided contrast agent. 6 hours after the procedure, the individual should be prescribed another dose of NaHCO3. The appropriate dose of this product which should be prescribed to a certain individual is known to depend on the patient’s age, general health condition, weight, and so on. For this reason, only the individual’s PD (who is well acquainted with the patient’s personal and / or family medical history) is entitled to prescribe the individual the adequate dose of NaHCO3, which he or she will be administered.

Radiographic Contrast Nephropathy Treatment

The diagnosis of this clinical ailment is known to be based on the presence of a progressive, unusual rise of the patient’s serum creatinine levels within the following 48 hours after the administration of the radiographic contrast agent. In some cases it is challenging to differentiate this medical disorder from another condition, renal athero-embolism, which is known to generally arise after the patient has undergone a femoral artery catheterization. Before your personal health care provider will prescribe you a certain therapy option for your clinical condition - Radiographic Contrast Nephropathy, he or she will probably ask you to undergo a set of detailed clinical evaluations in order to accurately assess your current medical condition / health status. There are several therapy options which can be employed in the fight against this renal medical disorder. However, before the physician decides upon a certain treatment trial, he or she will have to present you the risks and benefits that each therapy option is known to imply. Together, you will determine the adequate treatment for your Radiographic Contrast Nephropathy. The use of Corlopam has proved beneficial in similar medical cases. For further information regarding the common treatment option which can be employed in such clinical cases (for a list of the most common medical products which can be prescribed to patients who have been diagnosed with this renal medical disorder) we strongly suggest you contact your personal health care provider.