Effect of statins on contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty

We investigated whether pretreatment with statin may prevent contrast-induced nephropathy in patients who underwent primary coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A total of 279 consecutive patients who underwent successful primary angioplasty for a first AMI were studied. Contrast-induced nephropathy was defined as an increase in serum creatinine of ≥ 5 mg/dL after the primary PCI. 56 patients receiving statin treatment before admission had lower incidence of the contrast-induced nephropathy than those without it (7.1% and 20.6%, P < 0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that absence of statin pre-treatment was a significant predictor of the reperfusion arrhythmia along with anterior AMI, baseline creatinine value, time-to-reperfusion, higher volume of the contrast agent. Pre-treatment with statin could reduce the contrast-induced nephropathy after primary coronary intervention in patients with AMI.