Statins for prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing non-emergent percutaneous coronary intervention

: Aim:  Oxidative stress and ischaemia are suggested as possible mechanisms of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). Statins may offer renoprotection in both acute and chronic kidney diseases because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated whether use of statins before non-emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces the incidence of CIN. Methods:  We retrospectively evaluated 540 consecutive adult patients who underwent non-emergent PCI over a 3 year period at a tertiary care centre. CIN was defined as 25% or 44 mmol/L increase from baseline creatinine at 48–72 h. In addition, we classified patients based on Mehran score for risk of development of CIN and analysed the effect of statins. Results:  Three-hundred and fifty-three patients met inclusion criteria. Two-hundred and thirty-nine patients were taking statins before PCI and 114 were not. Baseline characteristics were similar for both groups. CIN occurred in 75 patients (21.2%). There was a higher incidence of CIN in patients on statins as compared with patients not on statins (24.7% vs 14%; 95% CI: 1.09–3.67; P = 0.02). However, propensity-based adjustment for receipt of statins revealed no significant differences in CIN between both groups (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 0.87–3.22; P = 0.12). Multivariate logistic regression revealed Mehran score to be independently predictive of CIN. None of the patients who developed CIN required dialysis. Conclusions:  Statin use before non-emergent PCI is not associated with reduction in CIN. Further randomized controlled trials based on proper risk adjustment for development of CIN are needed.