Does N-acetylcysteine reduce the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy and clinical events in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction?

OBJECTIVE

We examined oral N-acetylcysteine effects on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and clinical events in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have reported that N-acetylcysteine reduces CIN and improves the clinical outcome in patients undergoing primary angioplasty. However, additional investigations are warranted to further support these findings.

METHODS

We randomly assigned 76 patients undergoing primary angioplasty into two groups: 38 patients were assigned to N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 705 mg orally administration before and 12, 24, 36 hours after primary angioplasty), and 38 patients to placebo. CIN was defined as an increase in the serum creatinine concentration of 25 percent or more from baseline value within the 72-hour period after primary angioplasty.

RESULTS

CIN occurred in 7 patients (9.2%). In the NAC group, the incidence of CIN tended to be lower than in the placebo group (NAC; 2/38; 5.3% vs. Placebo; 5/38; 13.2%, p=0.21). The composite endpoints such as death, acute renal failure requiring temporary renal replacement therapy, or need for mechanical ventilation did not occur in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

While N-acetylcysteine might have the possibility to reduce the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction, the in-hospital mortality and morbidity were not significantly different between the two groups.