Acute renal failure following arteriography in a patient with polyarteritis nodosa

The use of radioiodinated contrast material has become an important diagnostic aid. However, certain categories of patients appear to be at risk for development of oliguric acute renal failure after receiving radiocontrast media. In the article, a patient with polyarteritis nodosa is presented who had development of oliguric azotemia after angiography; the loss in renal function was largely irreversible. The course of this patient suggests that active vasculitis, even in the presence of an inactive urine sediment, may be an additional risk factor for development of acute renal failure when considering the use of radioiodinated contrast material.