Acetylcysteine for prevention of acute deterioration of renal function following elective coronary angiography and intervention: A randomized controlled trial

Jay KAY, Wing Hing CHOW, Tak Mao CHAN, Sing Kai LO, On Hing KWOK, Alex YIP, Katherine FAN, Chi Hang LEE, Wai Fai LAM

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Abstract

Context: The antioxidant acetylcysteine prevents acute contrast nephrotoxicity in patients with impaired renal function who undergo computed tomography scanning. However, its role in coronary angiography is unclear. 
Objective: To determine whether oral acetylcysteine prevents acute deterioration in renal function in patients with moderate renal insufficiency who undergo elective coronary angiography. 
Design and Setting: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted from May 2000 to December 2001 at the Grantham Hospital at the University of Hong Kong. 
Participants: Two hundred Chinese patients aged mean (SD) 68 (6.5) years with stable moderate renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance <60 mL/min [1.00 mL/s]) who were undergoing elective coronary angiography with or without intervention. 
Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to receive oral acetylcysteine (600 mg twice per day; n= 102) or matching placebo tablets (n=98) on the day before and the day of angiography. All patients received low-osmolality contrast agent. 
Main Outcome Measures: Occurrence of more than a 25% increase in serum creatinine level within 48 hours after contrast administration; change in creatinine clearance and serum creatinine level. 
Results: Twelve control patients (12%) and 4 acetylcysteine patients (4%) developed a more than 25% increase in serum creatinine level within 48 hours after contrast administration (relative risk, 0.32;95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10-0.96; P=.03). Serum creatinine was lower in the acetylcysteine group (1. 22 mg/dL [107.8 μmol/L]; 95% CI, 1.11-1.33 mg/dL vs 1.38 mg/dL [122.9 μmol/L]; 95% CI, 1.27-1.49 mg/ dL; P=.006) during the first 48 hours after angiography. Acetylcysteine treatment significantly increased creatinine clearance from 44.8 mL/min (0.75 mL/s) (95% CI, 42.7-47.6 mL/min) to 58.9 mL/ min (0.98 mL/s) (95% CI, 55.6-62.3 mL/min) 2 days after the contrast administration (P<.001). The increase was not significant in the control group (from 42.1 to 44.1 mL/min [0.70 to 0.74 mL/s]; P=.15). The benefit of acetylcysteine was consistent among various patient subgroups and persistent for at least 7 days. There were no major treatment-related adverse events. 
Conclusion: Acetylcysteine protects patients with moderate chronic renal insufficiency from contrast-induced deterioration in renal function after coronary angiographic procedures, with minimal adverse effects and at a low cost. Copyright © 2003 American Medical Association.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)553-558
JournalJournal of the American Medical Association
Volume289
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003

Citation

Kay, J., Chow, W. H., Chan, T. M., Lo, S. K., Kwok, O. H., Yip, A., . . . Lam, W. F. (2003). Acetylcysteine for prevention of acute deterioration of renal function following elective coronary angiography and intervention: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 289(5), 553-558. doi: 10.1001/jama.289.5.553

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