Renal protective effects and the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy by atrial natriuretic peptide

This study was designed to examine the protective effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after coronary angiography.

Contrast-induced nephropathy is a common complication after angiography. Some studies have shown that ANP has renal protective effects, but the beneficial effects for CIN prevention remain to be clearly shown.

In a prospective, controlled, randomized trial in 254 consecutive patients with serum creatinine concentrations of > or =1.3 mg/dl, patients received either ANP (0.042 microg/kg/min; ANP group, n = 126) or Ringer solution alone (control group, n = 128). Treatment of either type was initiated 4 to 6 h before angiography and continued for 48 h.

There were no significant differences in age, sex, diabetes mellitus, or baseline serum creatinine level between the 2 groups. The prevalence of CIN, defined as a 25% increase in creatinine or an increase in creatinine of > or =0.5 mg/dl from baseline within 48 h, was significantly lower in the ANP group than in the control group (3.2% vs. 11.7%, respectively; p = 0.015). Multivariate analysis revealed that the use of >155 ml of contrast medium (odds ratio: 6.89; p < 0.001) and ANP treatment (odds ratio: 0.24; p = 0.016) were significant predictors of developing CIN. The incidence of an increase in creatinine of > or =25% or of > or =0.5 mg/dl from baseline at 1 month was also significantly lower in the ANP group than in the control group (p = 0.006).

In addition to hydration, ANP administration is effective in the prevention of CIN in patients with chronic renal failure, and the effect was maintained for 1 month.