Prevention of contrast-associated acute kidney injury in cancer patients undergoing radiologic investigation using contrast media; a short-review to current knowledge

Contrast agents are non-biologically active substances required for various diagnostic imaging procedures. Exposure to contrast materials, predispose some patients to renal disturbances entitled as contrast-associated acute kidney injury. Nephropathy of contrast medium is a deterioration of renal function which happens within 24 to 72 hours after iodinated contrast medium injection. Cancer individuals have several risk factors for contrast-associated acute renal failure, consisting of administration of chemotherapy regimen, which are mainly nephrotoxic, presence of diabetes or chronic renal failure, hypertension, taking of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, simultaneous use of nephrotoxic drugs, aminoglycosides, cisplatin, cyclosporine A or amphotericin B, increases the risk of contrast-associated acute renal failure. Similarly, age more than65 years old and anemia is an independent risk factor for contrast-associated acute kidney injury and also timing of CT within 45 days after last chemotherapy and low fluid intake, as the common risk factors in cancer individuals.