N-acetylcysteine versus AScorbic acid for preventing contrast-Induced nephropathy in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography NASPI study-a prospective randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a leading cause of hospital-acquired renal failure and affects mortality and morbidity. There has been no study comparing the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and ascorbic acid that have potential for CIN prevention in patients with renal insufficiency.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial. A total of 212 patients who had pre-existing renal impairment with basal creatinine clearance < or =60 mL/min and/or serum creatinine (SCr) level of > or =1.1 mg/dL, were randomized to have either high-dose NAC (1,200 mg orally twice a day before and on the day of coronary catheterization, n = 106) or ascorbic acid (3 g and 2 g orally before, and 2 g twice after coronary catheterization with a 12-hour interval, n = 106). The primary end point was the maximum increase of SCr level, and the secondary end point was the incidence of CIN.


RESULTS
The maximum increase of SCr level was significantly lower in NAC group than in ascorbic acid group as follows: -0.03 +/- 0.18 mg/dL versus 0.04 +/- 0.20 mg/mL, respectively (P = .026). Patients with diabetes or who had received a high dose of contrast media experienced significantly less rise of SCr level with NAC than ascorbic acid; in diabetic subgroup, -0.05 +/- 0.22 mg/dL versus 0.09 +/- 0.29 mg/mL, respectively (P = .020); in patients with high dose of dye, -0.03 +/- 0.17 mg/dL versus 0.04 +/- 0.21 mg/mL, respectively (P = .032). The incidence of CIN, the secondary end point, tended to be in favor of NAC rather than ascorbic acid, 1.2% versus 4.4%, respectively (P = .370). Notably, among the diabetes patients, the NAC significantly lowered CIN rate than ascorbic acid, 0% (0/38) versus 12.5% (4/32), respectively (P = .039).


CONCLUSIONS
High-dose NAC seems more beneficial than ascorbic acid in preventing contrast-induced renal function deterioration in patients, especially diabetic patients, with renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography.
Jo
Sang-Ho
SH
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine/Cardiovascular Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Korea.
Koo
Bon-Kwon
BK
Park
Jin-Shik
JS
Kang
Hyun-Jae
HJ
Kim
Yong-Jin
YJ
Kim
Hack-Lyoung
HL
Chae
In-Ho
IH
Choi
Dong-Ju
DJ
Sohn
Dae-Won
DW
Oh
Byung-Hee
BH
Park
Young-Bae
YB
Choi
Yun-Shik
YS
Kim
Hyo-Soo
HS
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000975:Antioxidants; D003287:Contrast Media; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D003404:Creatinine; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D000111:Acetylcysteine