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Fluoroscopy is a valuable imaging tool that can provide a functional and anatomic assessment of patients in real-time while minimizing radiation exposure to patients when accompanied by contrast administration. The modality can guide therapeutic interventions that may be performed on an outpatient basis allowing for healthcare cost savings. This activity reviews the benefits of fluoroscopic guided contrast administration, the mechanism of action of contrast utilized in fluoroscopy, and the management of patients undergoing fluoroscopic injections utilizing contrast with an emphasis on inter-professional learning of these aspects so that clearer inter-professional communication between healthcare providers decreases the morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing these procedures. Objectives: Outline the benefits of utilizing contrast agents with fluoroscopy. Identify some of the adverse reactions that can occur while utilizing contrast agents with fluoroscopic procedures. Summarize the mainstay treatments for protecting against contrast-induced acute kidney injury. Summarize the basic characteristics of contrast agents used in fluoroscopy. Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Fluoroscopy provides cost-effective, low radiation dose imaging that can help identify pathology and guide therapeutic interventions. Contrast agents help easily distinguish between different tissue types to aid in the accuracy of a procedure being performed. Communication between the physician performing the procedure and the fluoroscopy technician is essential to optimize viewing of the desired structures and increase the accuracy and speed of procedures being performed. Additionally, an interdisciplinary approach to contrast agents can help to reduce adverse effects associated with contrast-guided fluoroscopy. The healthcare team needs to ask the patient about potential risks for contrast-induced acute kidney injury, such as a previous history of nephropathy, and inquire about previous adverse reactions associated with contrast administration. Such questions can be asked by nurses upon screening the patient prior to the procedure. In addition, although the physician should routinely be aware of kidney function laboratory studies before scheduling the patient for fluoroscopy with associated contrast, the whole team involved in the care of the patient can make an effort to check the medical record to see if any signs may suggest poor kidney function.