OBJECTIVETo evaluate the protective effect of amlodipine against contrast agent-induced renal injury in elderly patients with coronary heart disease.

METHODSA total of 189 elderly patients (>60 years) with coronary heart disease undergoing coronary artery angiography were randomly assigned into amlodipine group and control group to receive amlodipine or placebo, respectively, before and after administration of the contrast agent. At 24 h, 48 h and 5 days after contrast agent administration, the parameters of renal function were measured including serum cystatin C, urea nitrogen, creatinine, creatinine clearance rate, urine β2-microglobulin, and urine N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase.

RESULTSIn both groups, the contrast agents obviously affected the renal functions of the patients (P<0.05). At 24 h after contrast administration, the levels of serum cystatin C, urine β2-microglobulin and urine NAG were significantly lower in amlodipine group than in the control group, but the other functional parameters showed no significant difference. At 48 h after contrast administration, the glomerular and tubular functional parameters were all superior in amlodipine group (P<0.05). At 5 days, the two groups showed significant differences in such glomerular and tubular functional parameters as urea nitrogen, creatinine, creatinine clearance rate, urine β2-microglobulin, and urine NAG (P<0.05), but not in serum cystatin C level. The incidence of contrast agent-induced nephropathy was significantly lower in amlodipine group than in the control group (5/95 vs 10/94, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAmlodipine offers protection against radiographic contrast agent-induced renal injury in elderly patients with coronary heart disease.