Trimetazidine in the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in chronic kidney disease.

Background: Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) may be defined as Acute Renal Failure (ARF) that occurs within 24-72h of exposure to intra-venous or intra-arterial iodinated contrast media that cannot be attributed to other causes. CIN occurs in up to 5% of hospitalized patients with normal renal function prior to injection of contrast media. It occurs more frequently in patients with renal impairment particularly if associated with diabetic nephropathy.

Prevalence and predictors of renal artery stenosis in hypertensive patients undergoing elective coronary procedures.

This study explored the prevalence and predictors of renal artery stenosis in a cohort of 525 hypertensive patients referred for elective coronary procedures. Patients underwent coronary and renal arteriography. The study defined renal artery stenosis as > or =60% luminal obstruction (physiologic or hemodynamic significance was not tested).