Clinical Decision Support to Reduce Contrast-Induced Kidney Injury During Cardiac Catheterization: Design of a Randomized Stepped-Wedge Trial

Background Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a common and serious complication of invasive cardiac procedures. Quality improvement programs have been associated with a lower incidence of CI-AKI over time, but there is a lack of high-quality evidence on clinical decision support for prevention of CI-AKI and its impact on processes of care and clinical outcomes. Methods The Contrast-Reducing Injury Sustained by Kidneys (Contrast RISK) study will implement an evidence-based multifaceted intervention designed to reduce the incidence of CI-AKI, encompassing automated identification of patients at increased risk for CI-AKI, point-of-care information on safe contrast volume targets, personalized recommendations for hemodynamic optimization of intravenous fluids, and follow-up information for patients at risk. Implementation will use cardiologist academic detailing, computerized clinical decision support, and audit and feedback. All 31 physicians practicing in all 3 of Alberta’s cardiac catheterization laboratories will participate using a cluster-randomized stepped-wedge design. The order in which they are introduced to this intervention will be randomized within 8 clusters. The primary outcome is CI-AKI incidence, with secondary outcomes of CI-AKI avoidance strategies and downstream adverse major kidney and cardiovascular events. An economic evaluation will accompany the main trial. Conclusions The Contrast RISK study leverages information technology systems to identify patient risk combined with evidence-based protocols, audit, and feedback to reduce CI-AKI in cardiac catheterization laboratories across Alberta. If effective, this intervention can be broadly scaled and sustained to improve the safety of cardiac catheterization.