Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography Examinations: Discussion of Hydration Protocols for Patients with Altered Creatinine Levels

Abstract

Computed Tomography (CT) is an imaging diagnostic method that enables the visualization of internal structures in the human body, allowing for the detection of various pathologies that may affect individuals. This examination can be performed with or without contrast, which can be administered orally or intravenously. Patients with altered creatinine due to renal dysfunction may encounter difficulties in eliminating this intravenous contrast through the renal route, requiring a hydration protocol to facilitate the safe and effective completion of the examination. Considering the significance of CT in disease diagnosis, this study aims to analyze hydration protocols used in patients with altered creatinine during the performance of intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomography. This study is an integrative literature review, where searches were conducted in databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, BVS (Virtual Health Library), and ScienceDirect, in order to identify and list articles and research studies discussing the aforementioned subject, published between the years 2013 and 2017. The study revealed that both oral and intravenous hydration demonstrate similar efficacy in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with renal dysfunction, as detected through alterations in serum creatinine. Based on the findings, it is concluded that there is a need to continually advance research efforts to enable a growing number of patients with renal dysfunction to undergo intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomography safely and effectively, thus enabling early diagnosis of diseases, as well as monitoring pre-existing conditions.