Preventive Effects of Nicorandil and Atorvastatin in Contrastinduced Nephropathy in Patients with Renal Dysfunction Undergoing Coronary Artery Angiography: A Double Blind, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an important issue in patients with cardiovascular disorders undergoing angiography, especially in patients with kidney failure. The purpose of the present study was to compare the preventive effects of nicorandil and atorvastatin on the incidence of CIN in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

In this clinical trial study, 270 patients with renal insufficiency nominated for angiographic procedures were randomly divided into three groups (each group, n = 90): hydration group (1000 mL saline), hydration + atorvastatin group (80 mg/d for 3 days), and hydration + nicorandil group (10 mg 3 times/d for 3 days). Serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels as well as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were evaluated before and 72 hours after the intervention.

At the end of the study, serum Cr and BUN levels in all three groups showed a significant increase compared to the pre-intervention levels, which were significantly higher in the control group than the other two groups. The amount of GFR also significantly decreased following the intervention in all three groups, with the decline being significantly more pronounced in the control group than in other two groups. No significant differences were found in serum concentrations of Cr and BUN as well as GFR levels between nicorandil and atorvastatin groups at the end of the study.

Nicorandil and atorvastatin administration showed preventive effects on CIN in CKD patients undergoing angiography, but there was no significant difference between the two drugs.