BackgroundThe excess volume of contrast media (CM) is a marker of a more severe coronary culprit lesion and longer intervention duration in patients undergoing cardiac procedures. However, it is unclear whether the contrast volume is directly correlated with worse clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between contrast dose and the incidence of 1-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and all-cause bleeding events in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography (CAG).

MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 10,961 consecutive patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease expecting CAG from 2012 to 2013. The study population was pursued with a follow-up duration of 1 year. The predictive value of contrast volume, divided into quartiles, for the risk of MACCE and all-cause bleeding events was assessed using logistic regression analysis.

ResultsThe cumulative incidence of 1-year MACCE was 8.65%, which was directly associated with increasing contrast volume. In particular, MACCE was observed in 7.16%, 7.89%, 9.31%, and 11.73% of cases in the contrast volume quartile Q1 (≤100 ml), Q2 (101-140 ml), Q3 (141-200 ml), and Q4 (>200 ml), respectively (P < 0.001). Moreover, the incidence of 1-year all-cause bleeding events was noted in 4.70%, 5.93%, 7.28%, and 8.21% of patients in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively (P < 0.001). The survival analysis showed that the 1-year MACCE rate was higher in patients using greater CM volume during the CAG. CM volume used >140 ml was associated with the occurrence of 1-year MACCE, and the incidence was dramatically elevated in patients exceeding a contrast volume of 200 ml (P = 0.007).

ConclusionOur data suggested that higher contrast volume was significantly correlated with an increased risk of MACCE and all-cause bleeding events in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01735305; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01735305?id=NCT017353057rank=1.