Ultra-low contrast percutaneous coronary intervention to minimize the risk for contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients with severe chronic kidney disease

Background. The incidence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is particularly high in patients with severe chronic kidney disease (CKD). Novel contrast-sparing strategies are warranted to guarantee the benefit of revascularization in this challenging and growing patient population. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of an ultra-low contrast volume percutaneous coronary intervention (ULC-PCI) protocol in patients with severe CKD. Methods. The ULC-PCI protocol is based on the prespecification of the maximum contrast volume to be administered, extensive intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and/or dextran-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance, and use of diluted contrast media. We created a retrospective registry to compare the outcomes of the ULC-PCI protocol vs conventional angiography-based PCI in patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, applying no angiographic or procedural restriction criteria. Results. We included 111 patients (ULC-PCI group, n = 8; conventional group, n = 103). Baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar between groups. Contrast volume (8.8 mL [interquartile range, 1.3-18.5] vs 90 mL [interquartile range, 58-140 mL]; P<.001) was markedly lower in the ULC-PCI group. Technical success was achieved in all ULC-PCI procedures; in 7 of the 8 cases (88%), the ULC-PCI protocol was also successful (contrast-volume-to-eGFR ratio <1). The incidence of CI-AKI was 0% vs 15.5% in the ULC-PCI and conventional groups, respectively (P=.28). Procedures in the ULC-PCI group included the use of rotational atherectomy, two-stent bifurcation PCI, and mechanically supported chronic total occlusion PCI. Conclusions. An ULC-PCI protocol in patients with advanced CKD is feasible, appears to be safe, and has the potential to decrease the incidence of CI-AKI, compared with angiographic guidance alone.