Iso-osmolar contrast medium better preserves short- and long-term renal function after cardiovascular catheterizations in patients with severe baseline renal insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Iso-osmolar iodixanol was shown to least affect very-short-term renal function. However, its short- and long-term renal effects after cardiovascular catheterizations in severe renal insufficiency remain unknown. METHODS: Patients undergoing elective cardiovascular catheterizations and having pre-procedural serum creatinine (Scr) > or =2.5 mg/dl were prospectively studied. The results were compared to those of historical controls who received iopromide. RESULTS: The iodixanol group included 27 patients, aged 73+/-1 years, and the case-matched control group consisted of another 27 patients, aged 71+/-1 years. The baseline Scr were 3.0+/-0.3 and 3.0+/-0.2 mg/dl respectively. Although the Scr at 3 months was similar, the Scr at 6 months was lower in the iodixanol group (2.7+/-0.3 vs 4.2+/-0.5 mg/dl, p = 0.017). The absolute and percentage increments in Scr at 3 months (0.0+/-0.2 vs 0.6+/-0.2 mg/dl, p = 0.014, and 1+/-4% vs 24+/-6%, p = 0.003, respectively) and 6 months (-0.3+/-0.2 vs 1.3+/-0.4 mg/dl, p = 0.001, and -10+/-5% vs 47+/-12%, p < 0.001, respectively) were lower in the iodixanol group. CONCLUSIONS: Iodixanol better preserves short- and long-term renal outcomes in patients with severe baseline renal insufficiency.

Intravenous aminophylline provides no additional renal protection in patient with severe atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis treated by delicate percutaneous renal intervention.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) prevention with different approaches generated various results. In this study, we investigated whether intravenous aminophylline preceding percutaneous transluminal renal artery stenting (PTRS) might provide better renal protection. METHODS: Patients with severe atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and undergoing PTRS were prospectively studied. Intravenous aminophylline 250 mg was administered 30 min before PTRS. RESULTS: The aminophylline group included 15 patients (mean age, 68+/-4 years) and the case-matched control group consisted of another 15 patients (mean age, 71+/-2 years). After a mean follow-up of 5-6 months, both groups showed similar serum creatinine (1.7+/-0.2 vs. 1.6+/-0.1 mg/dl, P=NS), BUN (20.0+/-3.0 vs. 24.0+/-3.0 mg/dl, P=NS), fall in systolic (-15+/-13 vs. -11+/-3 mm Hg, P=NS) and diastolic BP (-2+/-4 vs. -6+/-5 mm Hg, P=NS). The incidence of post-operative renal deterioration was 6.7% in the study group and none in the control group. CONCLUSION: Pre-treatment intravenous aminophylline provides no additional renal protective effect in delicately practiced PTRS.