Faculty Collaboration Database

High-dose N-acetylcysteine for the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy. Am J Med 2009 Sep;122(9):874.e9-15

Date

08/25/2009

Pubmed ID

19699385

DOI

10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.01.035

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-68749089747 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   84 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Whether N-acetylcysteine is beneficial for the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy is uncertain.

METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of high-dose N-acetylcysteine for the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy. Our prespecified inclusion criteria were as follows: adult subjects; English language literature; administration of high-dose N-acetylcysteine a priori defined as a daily dose greater than 1200 mg or a single periprocedural dose (within 4 hours of contrast exposure) greater than 600 mg; prospective trials of individuals randomized to N-acetylcysteine, administered orally or intravenously, versus a control group; and trials that included the end point of the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy. Trials that compared N-acetylcysteine with another active treatment were excluded.

RESULTS: Sixteen comparisons of patients randomized to high-dose N-acetylcysteine versus controls met our prespecified inclusion criteria with a total sample size of 1677 subjects (842 assigned to high-dose N-acetylcysteine and 835 assigned to the control arm). The average population age was 68 years, 38.7% were diabetic, and the majority was male (67.8% of reported instances). The weighted mean baseline creatinine of the overall population was 1.58 mg/dL. No significant heterogeneity was detected (P = .09; I(2) = 34%). The overall effect size assuming a common odds ratio revealed an odds ratio of 0.46 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33-0.63) for the occurrence of contrast-induced nephropathy with the use of high-dose N-acetylcysteine. The results of the more conservative random effects approach were similar (odds ratio = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.34-0.78). There was no evidence of publication bias (P = .34).

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that high-dose N-acetylcysteine decreases the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy.

Author List

Trivedi H, Daram S, Szabo A, Bartorelli AL, Marenzi G

Author

Aniko Szabo PhD Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Acetylcysteine
Aged
Contrast Media
Female
Humans
Kidney Diseases
Male