Contrast media induced nephropathy: CONTRAST There is an ongoing controversy on the impact of iso- osmolar contrast agents on contrast media induced nephropathy (CIN). The COntrast Media and Neph- roToxicity Following Coronary Revascularization by AngioplaSTy

There is an ongoing controversy on the impact of isoosmolar contrast agents on contrast media induced nephropathy (CIN). The COntrast Media and NephroToxicity Following Coronary Revascularization by AngioplaSTy (CONTRAST) randomized 324 patients with impaired renal function undergoing PCI to receive either the iso-osmolar contrast medium iodixanol 320 (Visipaque ) or the low-osmolar contrast medium iomeprol 350 (Imeron ). Around 38% of the patients had diabetes, and 78% had complex (B2/C) lesions on angiogram. The authors found no difference in the incidence of CIN: 22.2 versus 27.7% (ns) between the iodixanol and iomeprol groups, respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed no advantage of iodixanol in patients with diabetes. The CONTRAST study demonstrated that the iso-osmolar contrast medium iodixanol has no beneficial effects compared to the low-osmolar contrast medium iomeprol in patients with impaired renal function undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after appropriate intravenous hydration [25]. Presenter: Rainer Wessely