Gadolinium use in patients with kidney disease: a cause for concern

Semin Dial. 2007 May-Jun;20(3):179-85. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-139X.2007.00269.x.

Abstract

Gadolinium is widely used as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent and is considered to have a good overall safety profile. Recently, both renal and extra-renal toxicities have been reported following exposure to gadolinium in patients with underlying kidney disease. Gadolinium-related contrast-induced nephropathy appears to be a risk in patients with advanced kidney disease and especially those with diabetic nephropathy. Even more concerning is the strong association of gadolinium with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), a devastating fibrosing disorder of the skin and other systemic organs. Although cause and effect have not been proven for the NSF-gadolinium link, the impaired renal elimination of gadolinium in patients with kidney disease and the instability of gadolinium-chelate binding may expose tissues to toxic free Gd(3+) and promote this fibrosing disorder. Caution should be exercised when utilizing gadolinium as a contrast agent in patients with advanced CKD or ESRD.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Contrast Media / adverse effects*
  • Contrast Media / pharmacokinetics
  • Fibrosis / chemically induced
  • Gadolinium DTPA / adverse effects*
  • Gadolinium DTPA / pharmacokinetics
  • Humans
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Kidney Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Kidney Diseases / complications*

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Gadolinium DTPA