Prevention of Contrast Media–Associated Nephropathy

Abstract

PREVENTION OF disease should always be the highest priority, particularly if there is no effective therapy and the disease is iatrogenic. The administration of radiographic contrast agents remains an important cause of hospital-acquired acute renal failure, which contributes to morbidity and mortality during hospitalization, prolongs hospital stay, and increases the incidence of chronic end-stage renal disease and costs of health care.^1-5