CONTRAST MEDIA-ASSOCIATED NEPHROTOXICITY AND THERAPEUTIC PERSPECTIVES

Contrast associated nephropathy is an acute disturbance of renal function that follows the intravascular administration of radiocontrast agents. This syndrome is usually recognized one or more days following the radiocontrast agent administration and is based on an increase in serum creatinine concentration with or without associated oliguria. A variety of mechanisms have been suggested to play a role in the pathophysiology of radiocontrast agent-induced acute renal failure and include direct toxicity, hemodynamic alterations, and tubular obstruction. There is currently no spesific curative treatment for prevention of contrast media associated nephropathy. Measures include minimization of the contrast media volume, volume expansion with saline, administration of mannitol, atrial natriuretic factor, loop diuretics, calcium antagonists, theophylline or dopamine, and the use of low osmolar contrast media.