Lower incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing fluorescent angiography

To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing fluorescein angiography (FA).

One hundred sixty patients who underwent FA as a part of ophthalmic examination and had serum creatinine (SCr) results within 24 h before FA and within 72 h after FA between 2005 and 2013 at a tertiary medical center were included. According to baseline SCr levels, the subjects were divided into low-risk group (<1.5 mg/dL), intermediate-risk group (1.5-2.0 mg/dL), and high-risk group (>2.0 mg/dL) for CIN development. The CIN incidence, and changes in renal function defined by SCr levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were evaluated. Demographics and comorbidities were analyzed to investigate an association with CIN development.

Of 160 patients, 91 were males (56.9%). The mean age was 52.46 ± 17.81 years. Two (1.3%) patients developed CIN after FA, whose SCr levels returned to normal within 10 days without hemodialysis. Overall, there were no changes before and after FA in SCr level (1.52 ± 1.31 mg/dL vs. 1.51 ± 1.28 mg/dL, respectively; p = 0.93) and eGFR (67.02 ± 36.62 mL/min/1.73 m² vs. 66.41 ± 36.54 mL/min/1.73 m², respectively; p = 0.54). SCr level and eGFR remained unchanged after FA in low-risk and intermediate-risk groups. In high-risk group, eGFR remined unchanged, but SCr level decreased after FA (from 3.64 ± 1.59 mg/dL to 3.53 ± 1.60 mg/dL; p = 0.04). Basline SCr and cormorbidities did not predict CIN development.

Acute renal function deterioration was not evident in patients undergoing FA regardless of baseline renal function and comorbidities.