contrast nephropathy, kidney damage by a contrast medium, usually seen in patients already weakened by some other condition, such as diabetes mellitus, proteinuria, hypovolemia, multiple myeloma, or preexisting renal insufficiency. There is usually a sharp decline in the glomerular filtration rate after administration of the agent, sometimes with acute renal failure, followed in a few days by return to the patient’s previous level of function. Also called contrast medium nephrotoxicity.
