Influence of contrast medium on long-term renal function and outcomes in patients with septic acute kidney injury: A propensity-matched cohort study

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between contrast medium administration and long-term mortality and renal function in patients with septic acute kidney injury (AKI). Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective, propensity-matched cohort study involving 1521 adult patients admitted with septic shock. Patients with septic AKI who underwent contrast or non-contrast CT scans were enrolled. The primary outcomes were the rates of 90-day mortality and dialysis within 90 days. The secondary outcomes included worsening of AKI, in-hospital mortality, and maintenance of dialysis after 90 days. Results: During the study period, 609 patients with septic AKI were identified; 220 (36.1%) underwent contrast CT and 389 (63.9%) underwent non-contrast CT. After propensity score matching, 133 pairs were obtained. There were no significant differences between the contrast and non-contrast CT groups in 90-day mortality (54.9% vs. 58.6%, P = 0.579), dialysis within 90 days (6.8% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.655), worsening AKI (2.3% vs. 3.0%, P = 0.706), in-hospital mortality (10.6% vs. 14.4%, P = 0.369), or maintenance of dialysis after 90 days (0.0% vs. 0.8%, P > 0.99). Conclusions: The administration of intravenous contrast medium was not associated with long-term mortality, deterioration of renal function, or dialysis in patients with septic AKI.