Iodinated contrast media in pediatric cardiac angiography nephrotoxic risk evaluation

Abstract

Contrast agents are among the most frequently used drugs in medical practice. The aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence of complications associated with the use of different contrast agents in an angiography lab dedicated to pediatric patients with congenital heart disease. Between June 2015 and December 2017, 166 patients with congenital heart disease were diagnosed and/or treated in the angiography lab. Of these patients, 38 were excluded because they did not require contrast substance administration. As interventional procedures we performed pulmonary valvular dilatation in 17 cases (10.2%), stent implantation in coarctation of the aorta in 9 cases (5.4%), PDA closure in 62 cases (37.3%), atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in 36 patients (including patients without contrast agent’s administration) (21.7%). In the group of 129 patients who received contrast agents, the median age was 5.8 years (range 0.1-19 years) and median weight 22.8 kg (range 2.8-72 kg). Average consumption of contrast media per procedure was 79 ml/procedure (range 5 - 400 mL) and 4.3 mL/kg (range 0.4 - 22.7). We used iomeprol (24%), iohexol (8.5%), iopromide (67.4%). No contrast related complications are reported in this group. In conclusion, the contrast agents we used seem to be safe and are not associated with renal complications.