Author: Dylan Luyten, M.D.

Educational Pearls

• Around 30% of patients in the ER receive CT imaging, and the sensitivity of CT imaging may be improved with IV contrast. However, contrast is often withheld for fear of contrast-induced nephropathy.
• A recent, single-center, retrospective cohort study compared the rates of nephropathy between contrast CT, non-contrast CT, and no CT control patients, and found no differences.
• This study confirms what many have believed to be true - that the dangers of modern contrast may be overstated. However, the results should be interpreted with caution, as this was a retrospective, single-center study.

References: Hinson, Jeremiah S. et al.. Risk of Acute Kidney Injury After Intravenous Contrast Media Administration. Annals of Emergency Medicine , Volume 69 , Issue 5 , 577 - 586.e4