Randomized trial of Ventilation-Perfusion (VQ) Scintigraphy versus Computed Tomography (CT) of the Pulmonary Arteries for Acute Kidney Injury Incidence
Despite widespread use of less nephrotoxic, contemporary iodinated contrast media agents, contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) remains a leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI).
The study hypothesis is that avoidance of exposure to intravenous contrast media does not alter overall clinically detectable AKI-risk. The alternative study hypothesis is that contrast media exposure is associated with an increased risk of AKI and selective VQ imaging reduces the incidence of AKI in patients evaluated for pulmonary embolism in the emergency care setting.
This multi-center study will include 360 enrolled patients; 100 non-randomized (now completed and no longer enrolling) and 260 patients randomized to undergo contrast-enhanced CT of the Pulmonary Arteries (contrast exposure) versus VQ imaging (non-exposure control). The enrolled patient population will be approximately 60% women, 35-50% minority representation, and 1-3% of Hispanic Latino origin.