IV Contrast for MRI and CT: Contrast-associated Acute Kidney Injury
Any acute kidney injury (AKI) occurring within 48 hours after the administration of contrast media. The term post-contrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI) is synonymous with contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) and appears in radiology guidelines. Both terms imply correlative diagnosis. Neither term implies a causal relationship between contrast medium administration and an AKI event. Related AKI events that occur in clinical care and events documented in study protocols that lack a control cohort are best termed CA-AKI or PC-AKI.
Davenport, M. S., Perazella, M. A., Yee, J., Dillman, J. R., Fine, D., McDonald, R. J., ... & Weinreb, J. C. (2020). Use of intravenous iodinated contrast media in patients with kidney disease: consensus statements from the American College of Radiology and the National Kidney Foundation.Kidney Medicine,2(1), 85-93
These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.