title: Iloprost for prevention of contrast-mediated nephropathy in high-risk patients undergoing a coronary procedure. Results of a randomized pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevention of contrast-mediated nephropathy (CMN), which accounts for considerable morbidity and mortality, remains a vexing problem. Contrast induced renal vasoconstriction is believed to play a pivotal role in the CMN mechanism. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the safety and efficacy of two doses of the prostacyclin analogue iloprost in preventing CMN in high-risk patients undergoing a coronary procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five patients undergoing coronary angiography and/or intervention who had a serum creatinine concentration >or=1.4 mg/dL were randomized to receive iloprost at 1 or 2 ng/kg/min or placebo, beginning 30-90 minutes before and terminating 4 hours after the procedure. CMN was defined by an absolute increase of serum creatinine >or=0.5 mg/dL or a relative increase of >or=25% measured 2 to 5 days after the procedure. Study drug infusion was discontinued in 2 patients in the low-dose iloprost group due to flush/nausea and in 5 patients in the high-dose group due to severe hypotension.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean creatinine concentration change in the placebo group (0.02 mg/dL) was unfavorable compared to that in the low-dose iloprost group (-0.11 mg/dL; p=0.08) and high-dose iloprost group (-0.23 mg/dL; p=0.048). The difference between the absolute changes in creatinine clearance was favorable compared to placebo for both the low (mean difference 6.1 mL/min, 95%CI -0.5 to 12.8 mL/min, p=0.07) and the high-dose iloprost group (11.8 mL/min, 95%CI 4.7 to 18.8 mL/min, p=0.002). Three cases of CMN were recorded; all in the placebo group (p=0.032).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this pilot study suggest that prophylactic administration of iloprost may effectively prevent CMN, but higher dosages are connected with substantial tolerability issues.
authors.affiliation: Onassis Heart Centre, Athens, Greece. spargias@ocsc.gr
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Spargias
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adreanides
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giamouzis
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karagiannis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gouziouta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manginas
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Voudris
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pavlides
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Cokkinos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016285:Iloprost / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D003404:Creatinine; D016285:Iloprost