Excerpted from an article in JAMA by Glenn M. Chertow, MD, MPH Radiocontrast nephropathy, defined as an increase of 25% or more in serum creatinine, developed in less than 2% of patients receiving sodium bicarbonate compared with 14% in the group receiving saline. The 2% rate in the intervention group was confirmed in an open-label follow-up registry. The authors postulated that the effects of bicarbonate on urine pH might reduce oxygen free-radical formation, thereby reducing radiocontrast-induced injury. JAMA. 2004;291:2376-2377. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.