Can Atorvastatin Reduce Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury?

In vivo and in vitro findings from a randomized study show beneficial effects of a pretreatment loading dose in patients with mild or moderate kidney disease.

Statins have pleiotropic effects on inflammation, endothelial function, and apoptosis. In a prespecified substudy from a randomized trial of high-dose atorvastatin before planned percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; JW Cardiol Jan 13 2010), investigators in Italy hypothesized that atorvastatin (80 mg within 24 hours preprocedure) would reduce contrast-induced acute kidney injury in 410 patients with chronic kidney disease, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of less than 60 mL/min per 1.73 m². All patients also received N-acetylcysteine and hydration with sodium bicarbonate solution.

Patients received about 180 mL of contrast media. The rate of the primary outcome, an increase in serum cystatin C (more precise than G…

Reviewing Author

Howard C. Herrmann, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAffluent Medical; Artedrone; Caranx; Johnson & Johnson; Medtronic; Prolifagen; Wells Fargo

EquityMicrointerventional Devices, Inc.

RoyaltiesUniversity of Pennsylvania

Grant/Research SupportAbbott Vascular; Edwards Lifesciences; Johnson & Johnson; Medtronic

Editorial BoardsCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions; Journal of the American College of Cardiology; Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions; JACC Cardiovascular Interventions; JACC Case Reports; JSCAI