Renal failure induced by contrast medium injection cannot be prevented by haemodialysis

Background and objective: Radiographic contrast media (CM) administration causes a decline in renal function, especially in patients with pre-existing renal impairment. The value of CM removement by dialysis to prevent radiocontrast-induced nephropathy (RCIN) has not been established yet. The present study was designed to investigate the influence of haemodialysis on renal function in patients with preexisting renal failure receiving CM for various purposes. Patients and methods: 15 patients with reduced renal function (mean serum creatinine concentration 2.7+/-0.2 mg/dl) were randomly assigned to receive either haemodialysis for 2-3 hours, started as early as possible after administration of CM (106+/-25 minutes), or conservative treatment. Serum creatinine and iodine concentrations were measured over 5 days. Results: The percentile creatinine increase on days 2 and 3 after CM application was higher in the dialysed group. The rate of RCIN (defined as a serum creatinine increase of greater than or equal to 0.5 mg/dl within 48 h after administration of CM) was significantly higher in the dialysed group (43% in the haemodialysis group and 13% in the group on conservative treatment, respectively), iodine concentration declined earlier in the dialysed group. Conclusion: Our data indicate that haemodialysis performed within two hours after CM application did not prevent the occurrence or the outcome of RCIN in patients with renal failure. In some patients haemodialysis even seems to have worse effects regarding the development of RCIN.