Comparison of the nephrotoxic effects of iodixanol versus iohexol in patients with chronic heart failure undergoing coronary angiography or angioplasty

Efficacy and Safety of Iodixanol in Computed Coronary Tomographic Angiography and Cardiac Catheterization

Iodixanol is an iso-osmolar non-ionic dimeric hydrophilic contrast agent with a higher viscosity than the monomeric agents. It is the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved iso-osmolar agent in the United States, and it is the only contrast agent with an FDA-approved indication for use in cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA), to assist in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with suspected coronary artery disease. In clinical studies, it has been noted to have fewer side effects and similar image quality when compared to low-osmolar contrast media. This can be attributed to the pharmacological properties of iodixanol. These contrast agents are used for coronary computed tomography angiography and cardiac catheterization. In this article, the use, tolerability, and efficacy of iodixanol are reviewed, specifically evaluating the use of CCTA and coronary angiography, including outcome studies, randomized trials, and comparisons to other contrast agents.

Bismuth chelate as a contrast agent for X-ray computed tomography

Backgrounds

Due to the unexpected side effects of the iodinated contrast agents, novel contrast agents for X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging are urgently needed. Nanoparticles made by heavy metal elements are often employed, such as gold and bismuth. These nanoparticles have the advantages of long in vivo circulation time and tumor targeted ability. However, due to the long residence time in vivo, these nanoparticles may bring unexpected toxicity and, the preparation methods of these nanoparticles are complicated and time—consuming.

Methods

In this investigation, a small molecular bismuth chelate using diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DPTA) as the chelating agent was proposed to be an ideal CT contrast agent.

Results

The preparation method is easy and cost—effective. Moreover, the bismuth agent show better CT imaging for kidney than iohexol in the aspect of improved CT values. Up to 500 µM, the bismuth agent show negligible toxicity to L02 cells and negligible hemolysis. And, the bismuth agent did not induce detectable morphology changes to the main organs of the mice after intravenously repeated administration at a high dose of 250 mg/kg. The pharmacokinetics of the bismuth agent follows the first—order elimination kinetics and, it has a short half—life time of 0.602 h. The rapid clearance from the body promised its excellent biocompatibility.

Conclusions

This bismuth agent may serve as a potential candidate for developing novel contrast agent for CT imaging in clinical applications.

Incidence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in high-risk oncology patients undergoing contrast-enhanced CT with a reduced dose of the iso-osmolar iodinated contrast medium iodixanol

Objectives

To determine the incidence of post-contrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI) and presumed contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) following contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) with intravenous application of a reduced dose of the iso-osmolar contrast agent iodixanol in cancer patients with chronic kidney disease.

Methods

198 oncology patients with a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60ml/min/1.73m² undergoing a total of 237 CECTs using a reduced dose of 60ml iodixanol were retrospectively analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed for the entire cohort and subgroups. The effect of additional risk factors on the occurrence of PC-AKI was evaluated.

Results

The overall PC-AKI incidence was 6.3%. Excluding patients with concurrent medical conditions known to directly and independently impact kidney function and patients with AKI preceding the CT-scan resulted in a presumed CI-AKI incidence of 3.8%. No permanent post-contrast worsening of renal function and no AKI treatment were required. Subgroups considering baseline eGFR yielded PC-AKI incidences of 4.6% (eGFR 45-60ml/min/1.73m², n = 130), 7.4% (eGFR 30-45ml/min/1.73m², n = 95) and 16.7% (eGFR <30ml/min/1.73m², n = 12). Additional patient related risk factors did not show any significant effect on the occurrence of PC-AKI.

Conclusions

Low incidences of PC-AKI/CI-AKI suggest that a reduced dose of an iso-osmolar contrast agent is safe in high-risk oncological patients with impaired renal function.

Preventive Effects of Nicorandil Against Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients With Moderate Renal Insufficiency Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

We investigated the preventive effect of nicorandil on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with moderate renal insufficiency undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 250 patients with a creatinine clearance (crCl) ≤60 mL/min undergoing PCI were randomly assigned to either a nicorandil group (nicorandil 10 mg 3 times/d and hydration; n = 125) or a control group (hydration only; n = 125). The first end point was the incidence of CIN defined as an increase in serum creatinine (Scr) levels by ≥0.5 mg/dL or ≥25% within 72 hours after exposure to the contrast medium. The secondary end points were (1) changes in Scr, blood urea nitrogen, and crCl and (2) the incidence of major adverse events during hospitalization. The incidence of CIN was 1.6% (2/125) in the nicorandil group and 9.6% (12/125) in the control group ( P = .011). There was no obvious difference in the incidence of major adverse events during hospitalization between the nicorandil and the control group (4.0% vs 4.8%, P = 1.000). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that nicorandil was a protective factor for CIN (odds ratios = 0.126, 95% confidence interval: −19.996 to −0.932, P = .012). Prophylactic administration of nicorandil may prevent against CIN in patients with moderate renal insufficiency undergoing PCI.

The efficacy of probucol combined with hydration in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with coronary heart disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled study

PURPOSE

To investigate the preventive effect of probucol combined with hydration on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with coronary heart disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

A total of 641 patients undergoing PCI were randomly assigned to either a probucol group (probucol 500 mg twice daily and hydration; n = 321) or a control group (hydration only; n = 320). The primary endpoint was the incidence of CIN, defined as an increase in serum creatinine (Scr) by ≥ 44.2 μmol/L or ≥ 25% within 72 h after the administration of contrast agent. Secondary endpoints were changes in Scr, cystatin-C (Cys-C), creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), C-reactive protein (CRP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) within 72 h, and major adverse events during hospitalization or the 14-day follow-up period.

RESULTS

The incidence of CIN was 4.0% (13/321) in the probucol group and 10.9% (35/320) in the control group. The probucol group had lower Cys-C and higher Ccr at 48 and 72 h after PCI compared with the control group. At 48 and 72 h following the operation, Cys-C and CRP were lower in the probucol group compared with the control group, but Ccr, SOD, and GSH were higher. There were no differences in the incidence of major adverse events during hospitalization or the 14-day follow-up between the groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that probucol was an independent protective factor for CIN.

CONCLUSIONS

Probucol combined with hydration more effectively decreased the incidence of CIN in patients with coronary heart disease undergoing PCI compared with hydration alone.