title: Nephrotoxicity of low-osmolality versus iso-osmolality contrast agents: impact of N-acetylcysteine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent data support that iodixanol, an iso-osmolality contrast agent, is less nephrotoxic than low-osmolality contrast agents when hydration is the only prophylactic strategy used. We evaluated the nephrotoxicity of iso- and low-osmolality contrast agents with prophylactic administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) along with hydration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and twenty-five patients with chronic renal insufficiency (serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL or an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)), referred to our institution for coronary and/or peripheral procedures, were assigned to receive low-osmolality (iobitridol group; N = 115) or iso-osmolality (iodixanol group; N = 110) contrast dye. In all cases prophylactic administration of 0.45% saline intravenously and NAC (1200 mg orally twice daily) was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline creatinine levels were similar in the 2 groups [iobitridol group = 1.70 (IQR: 1.54-1.98) mg/dL; iodixanol group = 1.73 (IQR: 1.56-2.00) mg/dL, P = 0.33]. The risk score for contrast nephrotoxicity was 5.0 +/- 1.6 in the iobitridol group versus 5.0 +/- 1.8 in the iodixanol group (P = 0.44). Increase of at least 0.5 mg/dL of the creatinine concentration 48 hours after the procedure occurred in 4/115 patients (3.5%) in the iobitridol group and 3/110 patients (2.7%) in the iodixanol group (P = 1.00; OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.17-3.56). Amount of contrast media administration was similar in the 2 groups (iobitridol group = 167 +/- 90 mL; iodixanol group = 164 +/- 82 mL; P = 0.61).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nephrotoxicity of iso-osmolality and low-osmolality contrast agents was similar when a prophylactic strategy of hydration plus NAC was utilized.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Interventional Cardiology and Department of Cardiology, Clinica Mediterranea, Naples, Italy. briguori.carlo@hsr.it
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Briguori
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Airoldi
authors.forename: Nuccia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morici
authors.forename: Giuseppe Massimo
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Sangiorgi
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Violante
authors.forename: Amelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Focaccio
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montorfano
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carlino
authors.forename: Gianluigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Condorelli
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ricciardelli
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; C093233:iobitridol; D007472:Iohexol; C044834:iodixanol; D000111:Acetylcysteine