Effect of haemodialysis after contrast medium administration in patients with renal insufficiency

Abstract

Background. The study was designed to investigate the influence of haemodialysis on the pharmacokinetics of the non-ionic contrast medium iopentol and the outcome of radiocontrast nephropathy in patients at risk undergoing angiography. Methods. We prospectively studied 30 patients with reduced renal function (mean serum creatinine concentration (± SEM), 2.4 ± 0.16 mg/dl (212 ± 14 μmol/l)). Patients were randomly assigned to receive either a haemodialysis procedure for 3 h, started as soon as possible (63 ± 6 min) after administration of contrast medium, or a conservative treatment. Serum concentrations of iopentol and creatinine were followed for up to 14 days. Results. The extracorporal plasma clearance of contrast medium was 71 ± 2.5 ml/min. The fraction of the dose eliminated was 32 ± 3%. The rate of radiocontrast nephropathy (defined as serum creatinine increase of ≤ 0.5 mg/dl (44 μmol/l) within 48 h) after administration of contrast medium was similar in both groups (53 and 40% in group 1 (haemodialysis) and group 2 (conservative treatment) respectively). The course of absolute changes in serum creatinine over the whole observation period was not different in both groups. Conclusions. The data indicate that haemodialysis eliminates contrast medium effectively, but it may not influence the incidence or outcome of contrast induced nephropathy.