Background: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a serious complication of procedures requiring contrast media associated with rising costs, prolonged hospitalization, and increased mortality. The aim of this study was to assess whether prophylactic administration of standard dosages of intravenous N-acetylcysteine or ascorbic acid reduce the incidence of CI-AKI in patients with chronic renal insufficiency undergoing elective cardiac catheterization.
Methods: In a single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the preventive effects of N-acetylcysteine and ascorbic acid were evaluated in 520 patients with chronically impaired renal function (serum creatinine ≥1.