NDT Advance Access originally published online on June 23, 2009
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation 2009 24(10):3103-3107; doi:10.1093/ndt/gfp306
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Acetylcysteine and non-ionic isosmolar contrast-induced nephropathy—a randomized controlled study
1 Nephrology and Dialysis Ospedale "L. Sacco" Milano, Italy 2 Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Milano, Italy 3 Cardiology Department Ospedale "L. Sacco" Milano, Italy
Correspondence and offprint requests to: Giovanni Landoni; E-mail: landoni.giovanni{at}hsr.it
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Abstract |
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Introduction. Intravenous administration of saline and non-ionic isosmolar contrast media significantly reduces the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy, one of the most common causes of acute renal failure. Results with oral N-acetylcysteine are conflicting. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prophylactic role of N-acetylcysteine in patients with stable chronic renal failure undergoing coronary and/or peripheral angiography and/or angioplasty.
Methods. We randomized 200 elective, consecutive patients (mean age 74.9 ± 7.3 years; 65% male, 25% diabetics) with basal creatinine clearance 
55 ml/min to receive oral N-acetylcysteine (600 mg bid the day before and the day of the procedure plus saline i.v. 0.9% 1 ml/kg/h 12–24 h before and 24 h after the procedure, n = 99) or placebo and saline at the same time intervals, n = 101. The contrast medium was non-ionic isosmolar (Iodixanol, Visipaque Amersham Health). Contrast-induced nephropathy was defined as an increase in serum creatinine >0.5 mg/dl or >25% within 3 days after the procedure. Serum creatinine was measured at baseline, 24, 48 and 72 h after the procedure.
Results. Contrast-induced nephropathy was 8/99 (8.1%) in the N-acetylcysteine group versus 6/101 (5.9%) in the placebo group, P = 0.6. No difference was noted in high-risk subgroups such as diabetics (4/25 versus 2/25 P = 0.4) and those with serum creatinine clearance <42.3 ml/min (5/54 versus 4/48; P = 0.9).
Conclusion. In our experience, N-acetylcysteine did not prevent contrast-induced nephropathy in patients receiving isosmolar (iodixanol) contrast media and adequate hydration.
Keywords: acute renal failure; contrast nephropathy; isosmolar contrast media; N-acetylcysteine; renal replacement therapy
Received for publication: 13. 5.08
Accepted in revised form: 29. 5.09