Contrast-induced nephropathy in ITU patients: outcomes of a university hospital re-audit
Author Information
Author(s): Lam K, Chan T, Lowsby R, Walker J
Primary Institution: Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Hypothesis
Did the implementation of IVCM guidelines decrease the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in ITU patients?
Conclusion
The incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy has decreased to 17.5% in medical and surgical ITU patients since the introduction of the IVCM guidelines.
Supporting Evidence
- A university hospital audit in 2007 found that 22.2% of ITU patients had significant rises in creatinine following intravenous contrast medium.
- In 2008, IVCM guidelines were implemented to detect patients with pre-existing renal impairment.
- The re-audit assessed the impact of IVCM guidelines in decreasing the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy.
Takeaway
Doctors checked how many patients got sick from a medicine used in scans, and found fewer got sick after new rules were made.
Methodology
Patients who received IVCM for CT studies were analyzed for changes in creatinine levels before and after the contrast administration.
Limitations
Patients on haemodialysis pre-contrast or who died within 48 hours post-contrast were excluded.
Participant Demographics
Mean age was 59 years with a male:female ratio of 46:34.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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