Contrast-induced nephropathy in outpatients with preexisting renal impairment: a comparison between intravenous iohexol and iodixanol

Background Concern for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) may result in administration of more costly agents. We prospectively compared outpatient CIN incidence of iodixanol to iohexol. Methods Patients were randomized to receive 100 ml of iohexol (n = 47) or iodixanol (n = 55). We compared patients who developed CIN using the Wilson score interval and also calculated an odds ratio for the development of CIN. Results CIN rate for iohexol was 2% compared to 9% for iodixanol. Those receiving iodixanol were almost 5 times more likely to experience CIN. Conclusion These results do not suggest a benefit of iodixanol over iohexol in the study population.