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Conditions and Diseases > Kidney Conditions Forum > Contrast dye and renal failure
The kidneys filter blood and regulate body flood. What happens during kidney failure? And what types of kidney failure do doctors diagnose?...
There are three main condition which cause renal (kidney) failure. Learn what causes kidney failure and what factors increase your risk of kidney problems....
What are the signs of acute or chronic kidney failure? Which ones are more serious than others? And when should you ask a doctor or go to the ER for help?...
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Q: Contrast dye and renal failure
asked by: DoctorQuestion on November 4th, 2009
Currently, my brother undergoes kidney dialysis and has pretty advanced kidney disease. He has also had problems with his heart and had a stent placed several years ago. My brother has difficulty breathing and tires easily. He feels crappy most of the time. The docs think that replacing his stent might improve blood flow through his heart and improve his quality of life. However, my brother is afraid that his kidneys will not be able to flush out the dyes. etc used for catherization and that his kidneys and heart will be further weakened. Is there a way to ascertain blood flow in the heart without the use of dyes. Is there no hope that kidney patients can undergo heart procedures without placing their kidneys in greater risk for failure?? The following is my brother's patient info. Thanks


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Dr. Goce Aleksovski , MD
replied on November 9th, 2009
Kidney Conditions Answer A7830
Your brother’s heart condition is considered serious given the fact that a stent is already in place. Any procedure has to be considered carefully if there is a chance it can help him.


However, exposure to radiographic contrast dye during coronary angiography is well known to cause either transient decreases in renal function or acute renal failure. Although the overall incidence is low, acute renal failure occurs most frequently in patients with both diabetes and chronic renal failure where the average reported incidence is upwards of 20%.


Given the fact that your brother is already on dialysis, the effect the dye might have on the renal function has to be taken more seriously.


In the end, you might talk to the specialists that perform the dialysis about whether it is safe for the specific brand of dye (provided by the cardiologist that would approve the angiography) to be used. The dye usually can be filtered through the filters for dialysis, but it might further decrease the function of the kidneys if there is any still left.




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