In the NEWS: Death of Contrast induced Nephropathy

If you were a twitter follower: I am sure you saw this post by Dr Topf on

Call it...Time of death?

6:29 AM.

It had a long full life. RIP contrast nephropathy. https://t.co/wNZNnGA1Hh

— Joel Topf, MD FACP (@kidney_boy) February 21, 2017

The article just published in Lancet proves in a RCT that fluids don't help in high risk patients in preventing contrast nephropathy (CIN).

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673617300570

This comes after many recent papers that have questioned the very existence of this entity. While it exists, perhaps the incidence has been over sized.  This was nicely shown by Chertow's team in 2016
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27688297

Bigger questions will arise as we move forward in the era of Cardiac-Nephrology. Discussions with cardiologists are going to be essential. While the Lancet paper will get it's share of supporters and opposers, the debate will continue as now the question has arisen- does CIN even exist? Is this the death of CIN?



1. Does intra-arterial vs intra-venous contrast make the kidneys worse?
2. Does giving NAC matter?
3. Does giving IV fluids matter?- pre and post and or based on wedge pressure
4. Does holding ACEi/ARB matter?
5. Does holding diuretics matter?- Might so if they are planning to do a TAVR.

Tough road ahead as - what can the Nephrologist do then for these patients? I guess - Nothing! and perhaps doing nothing might be beneficial to the patient. We shall see!