Evaluation of microalbuminuria after non-ionic radiocontrast medium exposure in patients undergoing coronary angiography

Transient and massive glomerular proteinuria, previously reported as one of the nephrotoxic reactions after ionic radiocontrast medium (RCM) exposure, is rarely observed in patients since the introduction of non-ionic RCM. However, whether the very low-range microalbuminuria might be encountered after non-ionic RCM exposure remains unknown. In this study we sought to investigate the effects of non-ionic RCM (Ultravist 370) exposure on the presence of microalbuminuria, defined as urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) > 30 mg/g, by a turbidmetric method in total of 64 patients (17 female, mean age 58 ± 12 years) undergoing coronary angiography. The results showed that after non-ionic RCM (mean volume 103 ± 57 ml) exposure, no significant differences were found in urinary albumin concentration or UACR; however, urinary creatinine was significantly reduced from 116 ± 62 to 69 ± 43 mg/dl (p < 0.001). Changes in the presence of microalbuminuria before and after procedure were also not significant (p = 0.891, McNemar test). In conclusion, non-ionic RCM exposure during CAG had negligible effect on the excretion of urinary albumin even within the detection range of microalbuminuria.