Renal function and the excretion of contrast agents

Abstract

The renal excretion of intravascular iodinated X-ray and gadolinium chelate MR contrast is examined theoretically. An expression is derived for the proportion of an administered dose of such an agent excreted in any given time in the face of varying levels of renal function. It is shown that a family of curves may be generated from which an estimate of this proportion for any time may be made. Some circumstances in which such knowledge may be useful are briefly discussed.

Prospects of molybdenum and rhenium octahedral cluster complexes as X-ray contrast agents

“…Time of excretion is important because contrast agents themselves may be nephrotoxic and because its persistent load may represent a significant and persisting cardiovascular stress in patients with simultaneously impaired cardiac function [39]. So in the case of cluster complex 8 rapid renal excretion could minimize these adverse effects.…”

Delayed non‐selective contrast‐enhanced CT can reveal spontaneous contrast enhancement of the lymphatic system in cats

“…The delayed enhancement of the lymphatic structures object of the study led to some considerations about the behavior of the contrast media moleculae. The new generation of radiopaque contrast media (iopamidol, iohexol, ioxaglate, iotrol, and iopromide) are eliminated mainly by glomerular filtration and serum or plasma iohexol clearance can be used for estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate in small animal practice 13,14 . In experimental models, extrarenal excretion of iodine‐based contrast media via bile and intestines increases in case of reduced/absent renal function 15 .…”

“…Imaging ance can be used for estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate in small animal practice. 13,14 In experimental models, extrarenal excretion of iodine-based contrast media via bile and intestines increases in case of reduced/absent renal function. 15 However, some studies in human and veterinary medicine described the vicarious excretion route of the new generation of contrast media also in non-nephropathic patients.…”

Imaging in the Dialysis Patient: Contrast Agents in Patients on Dialysis

“…If renal function is impaired, contrast excretion will also be impaired (11). The principle danger is usually seen as nephrotoxicity that further impairs renal function, but the other clinical problems potentially posed by contrast agent retention must be considered.…”

“…Because of their renal excretion, contrast agents may in fact be exploited for the measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (5,11,12). The slope of a semilog plot of contrast agent plasma concentration against time will be linear, the slope of the line being the GFR per unit volume of extracellular fluid (ECF) (5).…”