Contrast induced nephropathy following intravenous contrast enhanced computed tomography

Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) is often described as an acute increase in serum creatinine following intravascular contrast medium administration. CIN is associated with adverse events such as permanent renal failure, increased risk for renal replacement therapy and death.
To prevent the above mentioned adverse events, CIN prevention guidelines have been introduced worldwide. These usually consist of two steps: 1) identification of patients at increased risk for CIN by risk factor screening and subsequently administering CIN prevention measures such as intravenous hydration in those at increased risk.
It seems that the incidence of CIN following intravenous contrast enhanced computed tomography seems to be lower than assumed up till now. Furthermore it is unclear whether or not the adverse events as mentioned above can be attributed to CIN.
Therefore the aim of this thesis was) 1) to evaluate CIN incidence and its related risk factors and mid-term effects (permanent renal failure, renal replacement therapy and death) following intravenous contrast enhanced computed tomography and: 2) to evaluate screening strategies for patients at risk for CIN undergoing intravenous contrast enhanced computed tomography.
In our research we found that the incidence of CIN following intravenous contrast enhanced computed tomography is low. That only few risk factors are related to CIN. Permanent renal failure and renal replacement therapy are not related to CIN and there seems to be a relation between CIN and increased risk of death.
Furthermore we found that screening strategies for patients at risk for CIN can be simplified and more cost effective.