Debunking myths in radiology: ending pre-contrast fasting

Abstract

Radiology departments have traditionally observed fasting protocols for patients undergoing radiological studies with intravenous contrast. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these protocols.

This practice has potentially harmful consequences, such as interruptions to long-term medication, dehydration, hypoglycaemia, test delays or anxiety, and has no benefits in terms of study interpretation or patient safety.

Numerous studies now suggest the need to review these protocols, as reflected in the updated policies of our specialty's main societies, such as the ESUR (European Society of Urogenital Radiology) and the ACR (American College of Radiology).

In this article, we review the available scientific evidence on this topic, and present our centre's experience of eliminating fasting prior to contrast-enhanced imaging studies.