Purpose The Contrast Media Safety Committee (CMSC) of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) has updated its 2011 guidelines on the prevention of post-contrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI). The results of the literature review and the recommendations based on it, which were used to prepare the new guidelines, are presented in two papers. Areas covered in part 1 Topics reviewed include the terminology used, the best way to measure eGFR, the definition of PC-AKI, and the risk factors for PC-AKI, including whether the risk with intravenous and intra-arterial contrast medium differs. Key Points • PC-AKI is the preferred term for renal function deterioration after contrast medium . • PC-AKI has many possible causes . • The risk of AKI caused by intravascular contrast medium has been overstated . • Important patient risk factors for PC-AKI are CKD and dehydration .