Steven Weisbord, MD

Dr. Weisbord is a Staff Nephrologist in the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and Associate Professor of Medicine and Clinical and Translational Science at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Follow him @stevenweisbord.

Competitors for the Contrast Region

Contrast is Nephrotoxic vs Contrast is NOT Nephrotoxic

Gadolinium in CKD4 vs Iodinated Contrast in CKD4

At a time when sending people to the moon is commonplace and vital organs are routinely transferred from one human being into another, it is remarkable that we continue to fiercely debate whether and to what extent iodinated contrast media affect kidney function. Nonetheless, contrast-associated (or is it contrast-induced?) acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) remains a subject of intense scrutiny and widespread interest to nephrologists and non-nephrologists alike.

Currently, two of the most vexing questions related to the use of contrast in clinical practice, which are debated in the Contrast region, are whether iodinated contrast is in fact nephrotoxic, and whether it is safer to use iodinated contrast or gadolinium-based contrast in patients with more advanced levels of CKD (i.e., stage 4). The debate on whether iodinated contrast is nephrotoxic stems from research, largely in the radiology literature, documenting comparable rates of AKI in patients who undergo procedures with and without iodinated contrast.

The first matchup in the contrast region pits Contrast is Nephrotoxic against Contrast is NOT Nephrotoxic.

The Contrast is Nephrotoxic argument effectively documents that rates of AKI have declined due to modifications in the physicochemical properties and use of lower doses of contrast media, improved risk stratification, and implementation of preventive measures. Moreover, the author(s) appropriately document the important statistical limitations of the retrospective, ‘big data’ studies that argue the non-existence of CA-AKI, most notably that such studies cannot fully account for provider decision making regarding the use of contrast. However, the argument that Contrast is Nephrotoxic goes off the rails (i.e., misses 2 free throws with 0.3 seconds left when down by 1 point) by drawing the conclusion that providers should avoid using contrast in patients with advanced CKD or with other reasons for renal hypoperfusion. A large and growing body of research has documented that indicated contrast-enhanced procedures, including coronary angiography in the setting of non-ST and ST elevation MI, are performed less frequently in patients with CKD, likely out of fear of CA-AKI. Thus, this non-nuanced conclusion of the authors of this argument could serve to only worsen the plague appropriately termed ‘renalism.’

The Contrast is NOT Nephrotoxic argument is a bit more specious in general. While it correctly points out that association is not causation and excessive concern of CA-AKI contributes to renalism, it relies heavily on the aforementioned statistically flawed, retrospective studies to support its central argument. While I certainly applaud the author(s) for attempting to liken CA-AKI to Keyser Sӧze, the protagonist in the 1995 classic ‘The Usual Suspects,’ their inference that Sӧze ‘doesn’t even exist’ belies the fact that he clearly and happily rides off into the sunset with his associate (referred to cleverly but obviously not accurately as Kobayashi) at the conclusion of the film.

The Gadolinium versus Iodinated Contrast arguments were both well-constructed. The Gadolinium in CKD4 argument summarizes the history of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) and correctly notes that the current risk for this condition in patients with CKD 4 is exceedingly low with the use of specific contrast agents. This is important as there are certain clinical conditions for which MR imaging is superior to computed tomography. However, the evidence-based points the author(s) make for the preferential use of gadolinium over iodinated contrast are diminished somewhat by the highly questionable implication that the “resultant oliguria and fluid overload” of CA-AKI “will quite often necessitate starting dialysis.” There simply is little evidence in the medical literature that oliguria, fluid overload, and the need for dialysis occur with any regularity following contrast-enhanced procedures in patients with CKD 4. Most patients with CKD 4 who undergo these procedures, particularly with appropriate prophylactic intravascular fluid expansion, do not develop clinically significant CA-AKI.

Copyright: Suttha Burawonk / Shutterstock

Finally, the Iodinated Contrast in CKD4 argument correctly notes that CA-AKI almost always recovers and the need for procedures with iodinated contrast in patients with advanced CKD is substantial. Conversely, their suggestion to consider statins and oral salt and water as prophylactic interventions are highly questionable given the limitations of prior, predominantly small trials of statins (N-acetylcysteine déjà vu all over again) and paucity of evidence of benefit of oral NaCl and H₂O compared with IV saline.

In summary, each of the arguments in the contrast region makes legitimate and persuasive points and effectively highlights the dilemmas that providers commonly face. While the competition was fierce, a last second three-pointer (ἀ la Bryce Drew/Valparaiso) by Iodinated Contrast in CKD4 wins it in overtime…

– Post written by Steven Weisbord. Follow him @stevenweisbord. 

As with all content on the AJKD Blog, the opinions expressed are those of the author of each post, and are not necessarily shared or endorsed by the AJKD Blog, AJKD, the National Kidney Foundation, Elsevier, or any other entity unless explicitly stated.

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