A Simple Strategy to Reduce Contrast Media Use and Risk of Contrast-Induced Renal Injury during PCI: Introduction of an “Optimal Contrast Volume Protocol” to Daily Clinical Practice

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury is the leading cause of iatrogenic acute nephropathy. Development of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) increases the risk of adverse long- and short-term patients outcomes, the hospital costs, and length of hospitalization. There are a couple of methods described for CIN prevention (statin prescription, prehydration, contrast media (CM) clearance from the blood system, and decrease amounts of contrast volume). The CM volume to patient’s creatinine clearance ratio is the main factor to predict the risk of CIN development. The safe CM to creatinine clearance ratio limits have been established. The usage of CM amount depends on personal operators habits and inside center regulations. There is no standardized contrast usage protocol worldwide. The aim of this study was to establish an easy to use, cheap, and efficient protocol to estimate a personalized safe CM dose limit for every patient based on their kidney function. These limits are announced during the “Time Out” before the procedure. Our study included 519 patients undergoing interventional coronary procedures: 207 patients into the “Optimal Contrast Volume” arm and 312 into the control group. Applying the protocol into a daily clinical practice leads to a significant reduction in CM volume used for all type of procedures and the development of CIN in comparison with a control group.