Effects of Contrast Media on Renal Function Following Computed Tomography Prior to Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Background: Preprocedural contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is essential for planning Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), but concerns remain regarding contrast-induced (CI) acute kidney injury, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of CI-acute kidney injury following contrast-enhanced CT performed before TAVI. Methods: CI-acute kidney injury was defined according to the Kidney Disease—Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines. Nonionic, low-osmolality iodinated contrast material was used for all CT studies. The primary outcome was the incidence of CI-acute kidney injury post-CT. Secondary outcomes included the need for renal replacement therapy and the 30-day post-CT mortality rate. Results: Our study included 359 patients. The median age was 81, and 44% were males. Chronic kidney disease was present in 59.3% of patients, and the overall incidence of CI-acute kidney injury occurred in 24 patients (7%), without a significant difference between patients with and without baseline chronic kidney disease (4.8% vs. 8%, respectively; p = 0.331). Three consecutive creatinine tests within a median of 5.8 days showed that acute kidney injury occurred in only six patients (1.7%). No patients required new dialysis initiation within 30 days. Multivariable analysis did not identify baseline chronic kidney disease or IV contrast volume as independent predictors of CI-acute kidney injury. Conclusions: CI-acute kidney injury following pre-TAVI CT is low, even among patients with chronic kidney disease. Most cases were transient and did not require dialysis. Routine avoidance of CT due to chronic kidney disease may not be warranted.