Authors' objectives:

This aim of this report was to assess whether the administration of the antioxidant acetylcysteine prevents the reduction in renal function caused by a contrast agent.

Authors' recommendations: - Of the studies we retrieved, only one met inclusion and exclusion criteria. This study was a randomised control trial (RCT) and was conducted by Tepel et al (2000) in Germany. The study evaluated the prevention of radiographic-contrast-agent-induced renal function reduction using the antioxidant acetylcysteine in patients (n=83) with a history of chronic renal failure and stable serum creatinine concentrations. - This RCT is the only controlled trial of antioxidant acetylcysteine conducted in patients with renal insufficiency. The findings from this controlled trial are encouraging. However, there were significant problems with the methodology of this trial that included: - No description of randomisation method - Proper sample size (or power) calculation was not performed prior to commencement of the study - Inadequate description of blinding - To establish the consistency or reproducibility of the results reported in the Tepel et al (2000) study, further research with a larger sample addressing the above methodological problems is warranted.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.med.monash.edu.au/healthservices/cce/evidence/

Year Published: 2001

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Australia

Organisation Name: Centre for Clinical Effectiveness

Contact Address: Monash Institute of Health Services Research, Block E, Monash Medical Centre, Locked Bag 29, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. Tel: +61 3 9594 7505; Fax: +61 3 9594 7552.

Contact Name: cce@med.monash.edu.au.

Contact Email: cce@med.monash.edu.au.

Copyright: Centre for Clinical Effectiveness (CCE)