Article outlines measures to prevent NSF from gadolinium expsoure

Renal & Nephrology News came out with an article recently about steps which can be taken to prevent nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, or NSF, in patients who use gadolinium contrast for MRI scans and CT scans.  It has been fairly-well established that this debilitating disease occurs in patients who have renal insufficiency when the contrast is administered. 

The article recommends a number of steps.  First high risk patients should be identified.  Once thos epatients arte identified, a determinatino should be made as to whether use of the contrast is really required, and where it is not, or a safer contrast agent could be used, that route should be taken.  Where gadolinium use is required, the lowest possible dose should be employed, and certain types of gadolinium which have a better safety profile for patients with kidney disease should be used.  Finally, post-procedure dialysis to speed to the removal of the contrast agent has also been recommended.