Intravenous aminophylline provides no additional renal protection in patient with severe atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis treated by delicate percutaneous renal intervention

Background Clinical trials on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) prevention with different approaches generated various results. In this study, we investigated whether intravenous aminophylline preceding percutaneous transluminal renal artery stenting (PTRS) might provide better renal protection. Methods Patients with severe atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and undergoing PTRS were prospectively studied. Intravenous aminophylline 250 mg was administered 30 min before PTRS. Results The aminophylline group included 15 patients (mean age, 68 ± 4 years) and the case-matched control group consisted of another 15 patients (mean age, 71 ± 2 years). After a mean follow-up of 5–6 months, both groups showed similar serum creatinine (1.7 ± 0.2 vs. 1.6 ± 0.1 mg/dl, P = NS), BUN (20.0 ± 3.0 vs. 24.0 ± 3.0 mg/dl, P = NS), fall in systolic (− 15 ± 13 vs. − 11 ± 3 mm Hg, P = NS) and diastolic BP (− 2 ± 4 vs. − 6 ± 5 mm Hg, P = NS). The incidence of post-operative renal deterioration was 6.7% in the study group and none in the control group. Conclusion Pre-treatment intravenous aminophylline provides no additional renal protective effect in delicately practiced PTRS.