Using a dopamine type 1A receptor agonist in high-risk patients to ameliorate contrast-associated nephropathy.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of our study was to evaluate the effects of fenoldopam mesylate, a dopamine type 1A receptor agonist and a potent renal vasodilator that markedly increases renal blood flow, on kidney function of patients who were receiving iodinated contrast material for an interventional procedure and thought to be at high risk of contrast-associated nephropathy.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients who received fenoldopam mesylate to determine the acute and, when possible, the longer term effects on kidney function.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine cases were reviewed. The average serum creatinine value before contrast administration was 2.55 mg/dL (range, 1.3-5.8 mg/dL) [corrected]. Twenty-four hours after contrast administration, serum creatinine was measured in 28 of the 29 patients. The serum creatinine values had decreased in 16 of the 28 patients by an average of 0.55 mg/dL [corrected]. In nine patients, the serum creatinine value had not changed. Two of the three increases in the serum creatinine value appear to have been caused primarily by problems that did not involve the contrast material.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of fenoldopam mesylate at appropriate doses offers patients at high risk for contrast-associated nephropathy a chance to avoid this complication. To learn the extent and true nature of the effect of fenoldopam mesylate in this patient population requires a rigorous scientific trial, which is currently underway.
Department of Radiology, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, University of Tennessee, 865 Jefferson Ave., Ste. 121C, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
Abbas A
AA
Chamsuddin
Karen J
KJ
Kowalik
Haraldur
H
Bjarnason
Charles A
CA
Dietz
Michael S
MS
Rosenberg
Maria D
MD
Gomes
Colleen M
CM
McDermott
David W
DW
Hunter
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D018818:Fenoldopam / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects*
D003287:Contrast Media; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; D018818:Fenoldopam; C054871:ioversol