Patient safety in vascular access patients on hemodialysis: contrast agents and renal function

Patient safety is a major concern in medical practice. Today, the health care system is faced with a growing number of patients at increased risk with serious conditions, older patients, and multimorbidity and kidney disease. In these patients, not only the correct diagnostic but also the time to get the correct diagnosis and the strategy of treatment are of great importance. For this reason, the numbers of imaging, interventional radiological procedures and the administration of potentially nephrotoxic agents are increasing. Preventive strategies for contrast-induced side effects, especially contrast-induced renal failure, are of 'real life' importance.