title: Preventive Effect of Atorvastatin (80 mg) on Contrast-Induced Nephropathy After Angiography in High-Risk Patients: Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is one of the most important complications of angiography in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or diabetes mellitus. The prevention of CIN can decrease therapeutic costs and hospital stays. There is controversy in the literature over the preventive effect of statins on CIN.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to evaluate the preventive effect of atorvastatin on CIN after angiography in CKD and diabetic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial, patients with diabetes mellitus or CKD (15 < GFR < 60 mL/min, Cr > 1.5 mg/dL) and an age range of 55 - 75 years candidated for angiography were included. The patients were randomized to 2 groups: one group receiving atorvastatin (80 mg/d from 48 h before angiography) and the other one receiving a placebo. All the patients received intravenous isotonic saline and N-acetylcysteine. CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine more than 0.5 mg/dL or more than 25% from the baseline values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Totally, 220 patients at a mean age of 63.85 ± 8.89 years and a mean body mass index of 31.41 ± 5.99 kg/m(2) were evaluated. In comparison of before-after values, there was a significant increase in serum creatinine in the placebo group (P = 0.000). The incidence of CIN was significantly higher in the control group 24 hours after angiography (P = 0.010); however, at a 48-hour interval, there was no significant difference in CIN between the 2 groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Standard hydration and N-acetylcysteine and atorvastatin (80 mg) reduced the incidence of CIN, and this regimen was more effective than was the regimen of hydration and N-acetylcysteine (without atorvastatin) in decreasing CIN. Accordingly, it is reasonable to prescribe atorvastatin before angiography in high-risk patients.
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, School of Medicine and Atherosclerosis Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Arezoo
authors: A
authors: Khosravi
authors: Department of Pharmaceutics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors: Mitra
authors: M
authors: Dolatkhah
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Hesam Sadat
authors: HS
authors: Hashemi
authors: Department of Nephrology, Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Zohreh
authors: Z
authors: Rostami
keywords: Atorvastatin; Chronic Kidney Disease; Contrast Induced Nephropathy; Diabetes Mellitus