title: Short term high dose atorvastatin for the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing computed tomography angiography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Statins are shown effective by some studies in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). We evaluated the effectiveness of atorvastatin in the prevention of CIN in computed tomography angiography (CTA) candidates.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted on patients referring for elective CTA with normal renal function. Patients received atorvastatin (80 mg/day) or placebo from 24 h before to 48 h after administration of the contrast material. Serum creatinine was measured before and 48 h after contrast material injection. CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine level of ≥ 0.5 mg/dl or ≥ 25% of the baseline creatinine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 236 patients completed the study; 115 atorvastatin, 121 placebo, mean age = 58.40 ± 9.80 year, 68.6% male. Serum creatinine increased after contrast material injection in both the atorvastatin (1.00 ± 0.16-1.02 ± 0.15 mg/dl, P = 0.017) and placebo groups (1.03 ± 0.17-1.08 ± 0.18 mg/dl, P < 0.001). Controlling for age, gender, comorbidities, drug history, and baseline serum creatinine level, patients who received atorvastatin experienced less increase in serum creatinine after contrast material injection (beta = 0.127, P = 0.034). However, there was no difference between the atorvastatin and placebo groups in the incidence of CIN (4.3 vs. 5.0%, P = 0.535).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients undergoing CTA, a short-term treatment with high dose atorvastatin is effective in preventing contrast-induced renal dysfunction, in terms of less increase in serum creatinine level after contrast material injection. Further trials including larger sample of patients and longer follow-ups are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sanei
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hajian-Nejad
authors.affiliation: Cardiologist, Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Amirreza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sajjadieh-Kajouei
authors.affiliation: Internist, Department of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nazemzadeh
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Nehzat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alizadeh
authors.affiliation: Resident, Heart Failure Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Peyman
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bidram
authors.affiliation: Resident, Hypertension Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Behrouz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pourheidar
keywords: Atorvastatin; Contrast Media; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Kidney Diseases; Multidetector Computed Tomography