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Contrast-induced nephropathy occurs in fewer than 10% of patients with normal renal function, but the rate climbs to nearly 25% in patients with preexisting renal failure, diabetes, or congestive heart failure and in patients who receive nephrotoxic drugs. Previous studies have shown that hydration alone is effective in preventing contrast nephropathy in many, but not all, patients. Multiple pharmacologic agents (e.g., N-acetylcysteine, theophylline, fenoldopam) also have been studied, but results have not been consistent. These authors conducted a meta-analysis of 41 randomized, controlled clinical trials that compared various drugs plus saline hydration with saline hydration alone for the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy (define…