Using the Mehran risk scoring tool to predict risk for contrast medium-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing percutaneous angiography.

Background: Patients who have radiological imaging with contrast material are at risk for contrast medium-induced nephropathy, reduced renal function, longer hospitalizations, and renal failure requiring dialysis.

Objective: To determine whether the Mehran risk scoring tool can be used to predict changes in hospitalized patients who had percutaneous angiography.

Methods: Data on 196 patients admitted for cardiac angiography who had Mehran risk scores higher than 6 were analyzed retrospectively. Creatinine levels, used as predictors of contrast medium-induced nephropathy, were evaluated at day 2, day 3, and day 4 through day 7.

Results: Creatinine levels were significantly higher in patients with a Mehran risk score of 11 or higher than in patients with a risk score of 6 to 10 at all times.

Conclusions: The Mehran risk scoring tool provides reliable data before patients have percutaneous angiography.