Sodium bicarbonate is associated with an increased incidence of contrast nephropathy: a retrospective cohort study of 7977 patients at mayo clinic.
OBJECTIVE
The role of sodium bicarbonate in preventing contrast nephropathy needs to be evaluated in clinical settings.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective cohort study at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to assess the risk of contrast nephropathy associated with the use of sodium bicarbonate, N-acetylcysteine, and the combination of sodium bicarbonate with N-acetylcysteine from April 2004 to May 2005. Contrast nephropathy was defined as postexposure creatinine elevation of > or =25% or >0.5 mg/dl within 7 d of contrast exposure.


RESULTS
A total of 11,516 contrast exposures in 7977 patients had creatinine values available for review before and after contrast exposure. More than 90% of exposures to agents prophylactic for contrast nephropathy were available for analysis. Sodium bicarbonate was used in 268 cases, N-acetylcysteine was used in 616 cases, and both agents were used in combination in 221 cases of contrast exposure. After adjustment for total volume of hydration, medications, age, gender, prior creatinine, contrast iodine load, prior exposure to contrast material, type of imaging study, heart failure, hypertension, renal failure, multiple myeloma, and diabetes mellitus, use of sodium bicarbonate alone was associated with an increased risk of contrast nephropathy compared with no treatment (odds ratio 3.10, 95% confidence interval 2.28 to 4.18; P < 0.001). N-acetylcysteine alone and in combination with sodium bicarbonate was not associated with any significant difference in the incidence of contrast nephropathy.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of intravenous sodium bicarbonate was associated with increased incidence of contrast nephropathy. Use of sodium bicarbonate to prevent contrast nephropathy should be evaluated further rather than adopted into clinical practice.
From
Aaron M
AM
Division of Cardiology, Gonda 6-366; 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. from.aaron@mayo.edu
Bartholmai
Brian J
BJ
Williams
Amy W
AW
Cha
Stephen S
SS
Pflueger
Axel
A
McDonald
Furman S
FS
D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D003287:Contrast Media; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D003404:Creatinine