Medical imaging suspected of long-term repercussions in kidney health

A study released from the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology (CJASN) has suggested contrast agents from medical imaging processes are likely to induce severe health problems, despite patients being told the consequences are only temporary.

The study shows kidney injury sustained after medical imaging can increase stroke or heart attack for up to two years and these findings have prompted researchers to call for more studies into the theory.

Dr Richard Soloman led a research team from the University of Vermont to study 294 patients afflicted with kidney disease for the CARE (Cardiac Angiography in REnally Impaired Patients) trial. Patients were randomly given either iopamidol or iodixanol as a contrasting agent and then followed by researchers for up to a year after.

Thirty one percent of patients suffered negative health effects while another 13 percent suffered either death, stroke, heart attack or severe renal prolems.

Patients clear of contrast induced kidney injury did not experience any difference in long-term health effects, in either the iopamidol or iodixanol group.

Although, it was shown patients taking iopamidol had reduced incidences of both kidney damage and long-term negative effects.

Therefore, the team concluded that parallel decreased incidences demonstrated how contrast-induced kidney injury can cause a long-term negative effect.