The cost of non-kidney conserving catheterization

Key Points Data from an administrative database with over 2 million patients from 2012 to 2017 shows that acute kidney injury (AKI) from contrast nephropathy is steadily increasing, is associated with death and complications, and costs $7,000 - $9,000 per case. Widespread recommendations to pre-hydrate patients and limit contrast dose have not stemmed the tide of AKI over the past decade. Several technologies to reduce AKI have been developed but none have reached widespread use. Considering the human and financial cost of AKI, the interventional community should resolve to more aggressively develop and test new technologies.