Low-dose Intravenous N-acetylcysteine for the Prevention of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Emergency Patients Undergoing Computed Tomography

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of low-dose intravenous N-acetylcysteine on the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing computed tomography (CT). METHODS: All patients presenting to our emergency department and undergoing CT with intravenous contrast media between August 2014 and April 2016 were retrospectively enrolled. We included hospitalized patients with renal dysfunction [estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) between 30 and 89 mL/min/1.73 m²]. A 600-mg injection of Nacetylcysteine was given to patients once before and once immediately after CT, depending on the preference of physician. The primary outcome was CIN defined as an increase in creatinine level of ≥25% or ≥0.5 mg/dL from the baseline within 48 to 72 hours after CT. A trained person blindly reviewed all medical records. RESULTS: Of the 1903 admitted patients, CIN occurred in 9.8% of patients who received 1200 mg intravenous N-acetylcysteine (24/244) and 6.8% of patients who did not (113/1659, p=0.090). In a multivariable regression analysis, N-acetylcystine was not relevant to the prevention of CIN (odds ratio=1.42 [95% CI, 0.90–2.26]). Even in the stratified analysis using the propensity score matching, N-acetylcysteine was irrelevant (GFR 30–59 odds ratio=1.06 [95% CI, 0.43–2.60]; GFR 60–89 odds ratio=1.76 [95% CI, 0.75–4.14]). After adjustment, crystalloids were significantly associated with the reduction in CIN compared with dextrose water (odds ratio=0.60 [95% CI, 0.37–0.97]). CONCLUSION: No effect was found when low-dose intravenous N-acetylcysteine was used to prevent CIN. However, there seems to be an association between crystalloids and reduction in CIN.