Contrast-induced nephropathy in urological imaging: A comparison with cardiology interventions

INTRODUCTION: Published studies about contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) mainly focus on cardiac intervention and rarely focus on patients undergoing urological contrast investigations. We aimed to determine the association and effect of intravenous (IV) iodinated contrast material on the incidence of CIN in a group of patients undergoing urology investigation and compare the results with that of cardiology interventions. METHODS: This prospective study was performed in patients undergoing IV contrast studies in Urology and those undergoing coronary interventions, in our institution for 1 year. Association between the occurrence of CIN and the risk factors such as age (≥60 years), sex, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, anemia, left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and volume of contrast used were studied using Chi-square tests or Fisher exact test and Student's t-test. RESULTS: A total of 339 cases (168 urology and 171 cardiology) were studied. CIN was noted in 8.3% of urology patients whereas it was 29.8% in cardiology patients. In urology patients, statistically significant association was noted between CIN and eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and volume of contrast used. In cardiology patients, statistically significant association (P < 0.05) was noted for diabetes, hypertension, eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2), volume of contrast used. CONCLUSION: Although CIN was found to occur with contrast studies, the deleterious effects of contrast in urological procedures were lower than cardiology patients. The association between the occurrence of CIN and patient factors were also different in the two groups.