Pharmacological interventions for the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in high-risk adult patients undergoing coronary angiography: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Randomized trial to assess the potential role of ascorbic acid and statin for post-contrast acute kidney injury prevention

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of using statins and ascorbic acid for the prevention of post-contrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI) in patients undergoing urologic diagnostic elective contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).

METHODS

This registered trial (NCT03391830) was for statin naïve patients underwent elective CECT. Patients were randomized allocated to two groups: the first group received atorvastatin 80-mg the day before the study and atorvastatin 40-mg two hours before the CECT and for continue on atorvastatin 40-mg two days after CECT; plus ascorbic acid 500 mg with atorvastatin. The other group received two tablets of placebo once/daily before the procedure and for another 3 days. The primary outcome was to assess the incidence PC-AKI.

RESULTS

The baseline parameters were comparable between both groups. The final median (interquartile range "IQR") serum creatinine were 0.80 (0.60, 1.00) and 0.80 (0.60, 1.00), respectively, with insignificant p-value (p = 0.8). The median (IQR) final estimated GFR were 95.2 (72.8, 108.1) and 88.6 (71.9, 111.0) mL/min in placebo and statin plus ascorbic acid groups, respectively (p = 0.48). The eGFR difference median (IQR) were - 6.46 (- 11.72, - 4.18) and - 6.57 (- 13.38, - 3.82) ml/min in placebo and statin plus ascorbic acid groups, respectively (p = 0.58). PC-AKI occurred in 11 patients (9.8%) in placebo group and in 3 patients (3%) in statin plus ascorbic acid group (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Statin and ascorbic acid did not statistically improve neither serum creatinine nor eGFR values in patient underwent CECT. However, it can decrease the incidence of the clinically insignificant PC-AKI.

Use of Prophylactic High-Dose Statin Therapy to Reduce Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Adults Undergoing Acute Coronary Angiography: Evaluation of a Practice Change

BACKGROUND

Development of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, hospital length of stay, and overall health care costs.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this project was to evaluate a clinical practice change-the addition of high-dose statin therapy to standard renal protection measures-in adults undergoing acute cardiac catheterization procedures and assessing its effect on CI-AKI.

METHOD

The evaluation was a pretest/posttest descriptive design. Adult patients undergoing acute cardiac catheterization procedures were evaluated for the rate of CI-AKI before (10 months preimplementation, N = 283) and after (10 months postimplementation, N = 286) a recent practice change that added high-dose statin therapy (within 24 hours of dye exposure) to a standard renal protection bundle (intravenous fluids, maximum dye calculations, and avoidance of nephrotoxic medications). Outcomes included the rate of CI-AKI, stage of acute kidney injury, need for new hemodialysis, discharge disposition (alive or died in the hospital), and hospital length of stay.

RESULTS

Patients in the postintervention group that received renal protection bundle with high-dose statin had significantly lower incidence of CI-AKI (10.1% pre vs 3.2% post; P < .001). There were no significant differences in hospital length of stay, need for new hemodialysis, or mortality. Administration of high-dose statin within 24 hours of the cardiac catheterization procedure improved significantly (19.4% pre vs 74.1% post; P < .001). Adherence to all 5 components of the renal bundle improved post intervention (17% pre vs 73.4% post; P < .001).

DISCUSSION

The addition of a high-dose statin in addition to existing renal protective measures in patients with acute cardiac procedures is associated with a decreased incidence of CI-AKI.

Endogenous and Exogenous Antioxidants as Agents Preventing the Negative Effects of Contrast Media (Contrast-Induced Nephropathy)

The use of conventional contrast media for diagnostic purposes (in particular, Gd-containing and iodinated agents) causes a large number of complications, the most common of which is contrast-induced nephropathy. It has been shown that after exposure to contrast agents, oxidative stress often occurs in patients, especially in people suffering from various diseases. Antioxidants in the human body can diminish the pathological consequences of the use of contrast media by suppressing oxidative stress. This review considers the research studies on the role of antioxidants in preventing the negative consequences of the use of contrast agents in diagnostics (mainly contrast-induced nephropathy) and the clinical trials of different antioxidant drugs against contrast-induced nephropathy. Composite antioxidant/contrast systems as theranostic agents are also considered.

Fluid Stewardship of Maintenance Intravenous Fluids

Despite the frequent use of maintenance intravenous fluids (mIVF) in critically ill patients, limited guidance is available. Notably, fluid overload secondary to mIVF mismanagement is associated with significant adverse patient outcomes. The Four Rights (right drug, right dose, right duration, right patient) construct of fluid stewardship has been proposed for the safe evaluation and use of fluids. The purpose of this evidence-based review is to offer practical insights for the clinician regarding mIVF selection, dosing, and duration in line with the Four Rights of Fluid Stewardship.

Trimetazidine reduces contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography and angioplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA)

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses the utility of trimetazidine (TMZ) to prevent contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography and angioplasty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This meta-analysis was formulated and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A search of databases was conducted by 2 researchers independently for clinical trials, comparing hydration plus TMZ vs conventional hydration alone for prevention of CIN through January 2020. All patients had renal insufficiency (defined as GFR < 89 ml/minute/1.73 m2) and the outcome of interest was the incidence of contrast induced acute kidney injury. The odds ratio (OR) was estimated with 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was reported with the I2 statistic, using a fixed-effects model, and >50% of I2 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

Eleven studies, 1611 patients, met the inclusion/exclusion criteria: 797 patients comprised the TMZ plus hydration group and the remaining 814 patients comprised the control (hydration only) group. Heterogeneity was low I2 = 0%, P = .84, and the heterogeneity of each study was also low. The incidence of CIN in the TMZ plus hydration group was 6.6% (53/797), while the incidence of CIN in the control (hydration only) group was 20% (165/814). Pooled analysis of all studies showed TMZ reduced incidence of CIN compared to saline hydration alone (OR risk 0.30, 95% CI 0.21, 0.42, P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

TMZ added to hydration reduces CIN in renal insufficiency patients undergoing coronary angiography.

[ESUR recommendations on the use of contrast media: Practice survey, review and commentary by CJN, FIRN and SFNDT]

Contrast media administration is classically considered to cause or worsen kidney failure. Recent data may moderate this assertion. The European Society of Urogenital Radiology recently published guidelines re-evaluating the precautions before administering contrast media. The present work evaluates the practice of French nephrologists, and provides a commentary on these recommendations based on an updated review of the literature. We conducted survey among French nephrologists, using an electronic questionnaire distributed by the Société Francophone de Néphrologie, Dialyse et Transplantation, the French Intensive care Renal Network and the Club des Jeunes Néphrologues. 266 responses were collected. The European Society of Urogenital Radiology guidelines are poorly known among the panel of nephrologists. Their practices differ from the guidelines by the more frequent and earlier implementation of measures to prevent renal failure post contrast media. In accordance with the guidelines, hydration is prescribed as a first-line preventive measure, mainly with saline and bicarbonate. Inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are frequently discontinued before an injection of contrast media, contrary to what is recommended. In conclusion, the European Society of Urogenital Radiology guidelines, which the working group endorses, but which are still too little known and applied in clinical nephrology in France, prompt nephrologists to lift some of the restrictions on the use of PCI as well as on the continuation of ARS inhibitors before injecting PCI.

Kidney and contrast media: Common viewpoint of the French Nephrology societies (SFNDT, FIRN, CJN) and the French Radiological Society (SFR) following ESUR guidelines

Contrast medium administration is classically considered to cause or worsen kidney failure, but recent data may moderate this assertion. The European Society of Urogenital Radiology recently published guidelines re-evaluating the precautions before administering contrast media. Kidney injury does not constitute a contra-indication to the administration of iodinated contrast medium, as long as the benefit-risk ratio justifies it. Intravenous hydration with 0.9% NaCl or 1.4% sodium bicarbonate is the only validated measure for the prevention of post-iodine contrast nephropathy. This is necessary for intravenous or intra-arterial administration of iodinated contrast agent without first renal pass when the glomerular filtration rate is less than 30mL/min/1.73m², for intra-arterial administration of iodinated contrast agent with first renal passage when the glomerular filtration rate is less than 45mL/min/1.73m², or in patients with acute renal failure. The use of iodinated contrast medium should allow the carrying out of relevant examinations based on an analysis of the benefit-risk ratio and the implementation of measures to prevent toxicity when necessary.

Pharmacologic Prophylaxis of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy

Different pharmacologic agents have been tested in the effort to prevent contrast-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in the last two decades. To date, however, no individual drug has received unanimous approval for this aim. Since 2014 statins have been included as preventive treatment in the European guidelines for revascularization procedures in cardiac patients. The present update presents the latest findings in this field focusing on the changing paradigms in the definition and consequently the approach to nephroprotection that considers clinical prognosis as the major issue. We note the current shift from attention to contrast-induced AKI to contrast-associated AKI.

Beneficial effect of statin on preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients with renal insufficiency: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Renal insufficiency is an important predictor of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). We performed a meta-analysis to examine the effects of short-term statin therapy on the incidence of CI-AKI, particularly in patients with renal insufficiency.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the impact of statin pretreatment before administration of contrast media on the development of CI-AKI in patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency. The primary outcome was development of CI-AKI. The secondary outcome was the incidence ofacute kidney injury requiring hemodialysis.

RESULTS

Data analysis from 8 RCTs, which included a total of 2313 subjects in the statin-treated group and 2322 in the control group, showed that statin pretreatment was associated with significant reduction of the risk of CI-AKI (relative risk [RR] = 0.59; 95% confidential interval [CI] 0.44-0.79; P = .0003, I = 0%). A beneficial effect of statin on preventing CI-AKI was consistent, regardless of the dose of statin and use of N-acetylcysteine. In subgroup analysis based on baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), patients with baseline eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m (RR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.41-0.98; P = .04, I = 0%) and 30 < eGFR < 90 mL/min/1.73 m (RR = 0.56; 95% CI 0.39-0.82; P = .003, I = 0%) showed significant reduction of risk of CI-AKI.

CONCLUSION

Statin pretreatment is effective at preventing CI-AKI and should be considered in patients with preexisting renal insufficiency.

State of the art of coronary computed tomography angiography

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this paper is to evaluate contrast media (CM) bolus geometry and opacification patterns in the coronary arteries with particular focus on patient, scanner and safety considerations during coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

KEY FINDINGS

The rapid evolution of computed tomography (CT) technology has seen this imaging modality challenge conventional coronary angiography in the evaluation of coronary artery disease. Increases in spatial and temporal resolutions have enabled CCTA to become the modality of choice when evaluating the coronary vascular tree as an alternative in the diagnostic algorithm for acute chest pain. However, these new technologic improvements in scanner technology have imposed new challenges for the optimisation of CM delivery and image acquisition strategies.

CONCLUSION

Understanding basic CM-imaging principles is essential for designing optimal injection protocols according to each specific clinical scenario, independently of scanner technology.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

With rapid advances in CT scanner technology including faster scan acquisitions, the risk of poor opacification of coronary vasculature increases significantly. Therefore, awareness of CM delivery protocols is paramount to consistently provide optimal image quality at a low radiation dose.

Remote ischemic preconditioning reduces the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing coronary angiography/intervention: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We aimed to assess the latest evidence on the effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on the incidence of CIN in patients undergoing CAG/PCI.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive search on topics assessing RIPC and CIN in CAG/PCI patients from inception up until July 2019 through several electronic databases.

RESULTS

There were a total of 1,925 subjects from 14 randomized controlled trials. Remote ischemic preconditioning was associated with reduced CIN incidence in patients undergoing CAG/PCI (OR 0.41 [0.30, 0.55], p < .001; I² : 22%). The nephroprotective effect was also demonstrated in those at moderate-high risk for CIN subgroup (OR 0.41 [0.29, 0.58], p < .001; I² : 26%) and PCI-only subgroup (OR 0.41 [0.29, 0.58], p < .001; I² : 0%). Time from RIPC to CAG/PCI has similar effectiveness among ≤45, ≤60, and ≤120 min. Mortality, rehospitalization, hemodialysis, and major adverse events were lower in the RIPC group (OR 0.50 [0.33, 0.76], p = .001; I² : 0%). Grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) assessment showed that RIPC has high evidence certainty for reducing CIN in patients undergoing PCI/CAG, moderate-high risk subgroup, and PCI-only subgroup with absolute reduction of 97 per 1,000, 129 per 1,000, and 121 per 1,000, respectively. Harbord test showed no evidence for the presence of small-study effects (p = .157).

CONCLUSIONS

Remote ischemic preconditioning is an effective procedure to reduce the risk of CIN and should be considered in patients with moderate-high risk at developing CIN.