Protective effect of high dose short term statin therapy with normal saline in prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy among iodixanol-receiving patients

Contrast media agents are applied for various diagnostic imagines, however, contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) limits its usage. Statins have been found to prevent CIN via various mechanisms. However, study regarding the beneficial property of simvastatin as a kind of statin is scarce. This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of high dose short term statin therapy against nephrotoxicity of iodixanol. 194 patients were divided equally to control and statin-treated groups. Control group (placebo) received normal satin before and after angiography and statin-treated patients received simvastatin (80 mg/day) plus normal saline before and after angiography. Simvastatin and normal saline were started 12 hours before to 12 hours after the procedure, and serum creatinine before and two consecutive days after procedure were assessed. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD ) method. In the first 24 hours after procedure, there was no difference between two groups, however after 48 hours of treatment, a significant difference for eGFR between two groups with more values in statin treated group was observed (p=0,002). Prophylactic administration of statins along with hydration may be associated with less contrast-induced nephropathy.