Contemporary Management of Contrast-Associated Acute Kidney Injury
On September 25, 2026, *Mayo Clinic Proceedings* published a comprehensive review titled "Contrast-Associated Acute Kidney Injury: A Comprehensive Review of Risk Factors, Pathophysiology, Definition, and Management."
The clinical terminology shift from "contrast-induced" to "contrast-associated" acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) highlights the complex interplay between contrast exposure, underlying patient comorbidities, and procedural variables.
Pathophysiology, Risk Factors, and Management Framework:
- Pathophysiologic Mechanisms: Key pathways include medullary ischemia, direct tubular epithelial injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, which may drive adaptive or maladaptive repair leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
