If I Have Kidney Disease Can I Get A Catheterization?

— -- Question: If I have kidney disease can I get a catheterization?

Answer: If you have kidney disease, you can, in fact, get a cardiac catheterization performed. What you need to bear in mind is that the x-ray contrast can be toxic to the kidney, and the risks go up if you have underlying kidney disease, particularly if you happen to be a diabetic patient.

Now, there are a number of things that can be done to avoid kidney toxicity, and the most important things are number one, to avoid dehydration. And your physician may ask you to drink fluids prior to your cardiac catheterization, or in fact, may even elect to give you fluids intravenously prior to the procedure.

Secondly, there are a number of medications that are commonly used amongst patients with heart disease that themselves can affect kidney function, and your doctor may ask you to hold these for a day or two prior to cardiac catheterization.

And third, there are other medications that may or may not help prevent kidney toxicity and your doctor may prescribe these for you, and if they do, then you should make sure that you take these prior to your procedure.

Next: I am Allergic To Radiocontrast Dye And/Or Iodine And/Or Shellfish. Can I Get A Catheterization?

Previous: What Is A Cardiac Catheterization, What Does It Show My Doctor, And What Are The Dangers?