The following is a summary of “Safety of ultra-low contrast coronary angiography in patients with acute kidney injury,” published in the May 2024 issue of Cardiology by Rozenbaum et al.
Previous studies demonstrated that ultra-low contrast coronary angiography is safe in stable chronic kidney disease.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to determine the safety of ultra-low contrast angiography in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI).
They reviewed single-center hospitalized patients with AKI who needed coronary angiography. Ultra-low contrast use was 18 mL or less of contrast media.
The results showed that eight patients with AKI needed coronary angiography. The average age was 57, and half were women. All had chronic kidney disease. With an average baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate of 34 ±17 mL/min/1.73m2. Before angiography, their average creatinine levels were 3 ±1 mg/dl, and they received an average contrast volume of 14 mL. One patient had a 0.1 mg/dL increase in creatinine during admission, but none experienced further AKI within a week post-procedure.
Investigators concluded that ultra-low contrast coronary angiography appears safe in patients with pre-existing AKI. However, the study only generates hypotheses due to the small sample size. Confirmatory validation would need a larger cohort.