Futuristic depiction of the Renal Guard system protecting kidneys in a hospital setting.

Is the Renal Guard System the Future of Kidney Protection?

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how the Renal Guard system could revolutionize the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI), offering new hope for at-risk patients."

In modern medicine, percutaneous procedures are essential for treating various conditions, but they require iodinated contrast media (CM), which can sometimes lead to contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). CI-AKI not only prolongs hospital stays but also increases healthcare costs and poses risks to patients' long-term kidney health and overall well-being.

Traditional methods to prevent CI-AKI often fall short. While intravenous saline is a common approach, it has limitations in emergency situations and may not be effective enough for high-risk patients. This is where the Renal Guard system emerges as a promising solution, designed to optimize hydration and protect the kidneys during CM exposure.

This article explores the innovative Renal Guard system, examining how it works, its potential benefits, and its role in transforming CI-AKI prevention. We will discuss the importance of maintaining high urine flow rates, how the Renal Guard system achieves this, and what the latest research suggests about its effectiveness compared to conventional hydration methods.

How Does the Renal Guard System Work?

Futuristic depiction of the Renal Guard system protecting kidneys in a hospital setting.

The Renal Guard system is designed to maintain a high urine flow rate (UFR), which helps to reduce the concentration of CM in the kidneys and speed up its excretion, minimizing the exposure time of kidney cells to its toxic effects. The system achieves this by balancing urine output and intravenous fluid infusion to avoid hypovolemia.

The Renal Guard system comprises several key components working together:

A closed-loop fluid management system.
A high-volume fluid pump.
A high-accuracy dual weight measuring system.
Motion detection artifact reduction.
A single-use intravenous set and urine collection system that interfaces with a standard Foley catheter.
Real-time display of urine and replacement fluid volume.
Timely alerts to drain the urine bag or replace the hydration fluid bag.
Safety features such as automatic air and occlusion detection.

The system starts with an initial bolus of 250 ml infused over 30 minutes. Furosemide (0.25 mg/kg) is then administered intravenously to achieve a high UFR (≥ 300 ml/h). Controlled hydration by the Renal Guard system continues during the procedure and for 4 hours afterward, with constant monitoring to maintain the target UFR.

The Future of Kidney Protection

The Renal Guard system represents a significant advancement in preventing CI-AKI by ensuring high UFR and maintaining optimal fluid balance. Studies have shown promising results, including reduced CI-AKI rates and lower severity of kidney damage compared to standard hydration therapy.

Ongoing trials continue to explore the full potential of the Renal Guard system, including comparisons with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) in high-risk patients. As research evolves, the Renal Guard system may become a standard of care for patients undergoing procedures with contrast media, offering better protection and improved outcomes.

While challenges remain, the Renal Guard system offers hope for reducing the risks associated with contrast media and improving the overall health of patients undergoing essential medical procedures. By maintaining high urine flow rates and optimal fluid balance, this innovative approach promises a future where kidney injury is significantly minimized.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4172/2472-1220.1000128, Alternate LINK

Title: The Renal Guard System For The Prevention Of Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Subject: Pharmacology (medical)

Journal: Journal of Kidney

Publisher: OMICS Publishing Group

Authors: Cristina Quintavalle, Chiara Sordelli

Published: 2015-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does the Renal Guard system actually work to protect the kidneys?

The Renal Guard system works by maintaining a high urine flow rate (UFR), which helps reduce the concentration of contrast media (CM) in the kidneys. It achieves this through a closed-loop fluid management system that balances urine output and intravenous fluid infusion, preventing hypovolemia. The system uses a high-volume fluid pump and a dual weight measuring system, along with a single-use intravenous set and urine collection system. The Renal Guard system administers an initial bolus of 250 ml, followed by Furosemide and continued hydration, ensuring constant monitoring to maintain the target UFR, which contributes to minimizing kidney damage during procedures.

What is contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI), and why is it a concern?

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a condition that can arise from the use of iodinated contrast media (CM) during percutaneous procedures. CI-AKI can prolong hospital stays and increase healthcare costs, posing risks to patients' long-term kidney health and overall well-being. Traditional methods like intravenous saline, while commonly used, have limitations, especially for high-risk patients. The Renal Guard system aims to address these limitations by optimizing hydration and protecting the kidneys during CM exposure, potentially revolutionizing CI-AKI prevention.

Why is a high urine flow rate (UFR) important in the context of the Renal Guard system?

The significance of a high urine flow rate (UFR) in the context of the Renal Guard system lies in its ability to reduce the exposure time of kidney cells to the toxic effects of contrast media (CM). By increasing UFR, the concentration of CM in the kidneys is reduced, and its excretion is accelerated. The Renal Guard system is designed to achieve this crucial objective by balancing urine output with intravenous fluid infusion, avoiding hypovolemia and maintaining optimal kidney function during procedures.

What are the potential benefits of using the Renal Guard system?

The Renal Guard system offers several benefits. Studies have shown reduced rates of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) and lower severity of kidney damage compared to standard hydration therapy. By ensuring high urine flow rates and maintaining optimal fluid balance, the Renal Guard system minimizes the kidney's exposure to contrast media (CM). Its closed-loop system, real-time monitoring, and safety features contribute to better patient outcomes during and after procedures requiring CM.

How could the Renal Guard system change kidney protection in medical procedures?

The Renal Guard system could transform the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). Its innovation lies in its approach to optimize hydration and protect kidneys during procedures. By maintaining high urine flow rates and optimal fluid balance, the system aims to mitigate the adverse effects of contrast media (CM). With promising results in studies, the Renal Guard system represents a significant advancement in kidney protection, offering a new approach to improve patient outcomes in various medical scenarios.