[How Dangerous is Exposure of the Kidneys to Contrast Media? Strategies of Nephroprotection].

Contrast enhanced imaging was introduced over 90 years ago and has led to unprecedented triumphs in diagnostics testing, as well as in therapeutic and interventional procedures. At the same time, contrast agent exposure has been increasingly blamed for acute renal failure, particularly in hospitalised patients, and since the late 1970s. As a result, there has been a large number of studies on the toxicity of different contrast agents and on nephroprotection with various methods and substances. New studies have provided information on both the toxicity to the kidneys and the methods and substances used for nephroprotection, so that there have been clear changes in the use of contrast agents. The following article summarises recent developments in both areas and provides recommendations for the practice of using contrast-enhanced imaging, especially for kidney patients with already reduced glomerular filtration rate.