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In patients with kidney disease, risks associated with intravenous iodinated contrast media before computed tomography (CT) or gadolinium-based contrast media before magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are not as high as commonly perceived. A recent study and two evidence-based consensus statements add to the evidence that these contrast agents are relatively safe.
Researchers assessed kidney function in 156,000 adult emergency department patients who underwent D-dimer testing for suspected pulmonary embolism and did or did not undergo CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Patients on either side of the D-dimer cut-off for CTPA (i.e., 500 mg/mL) had similar characteristics except for undergoing CTPA and receiving contrast media. After 6 months, expo…