Increased aortic stiffness predicts contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with stable coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Increased aortic stiffness (AS) has been shown to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in renal failure and was also found to be associated with even mild renal insufficiency. We investigated the relationship between contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and AS parameters such as pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx). Patients (n = 440) with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included prospectively (mean age: 60.3 ± 10.3 years). The PWV and AIx were calculated using the single-point method. The PWV, age, diabetes, SYNTAX score, and contrast media dose were independent predictors for CIN (P < .05, for all). The cutoff value for PWV obtained by the receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis was 10.35 m/s for the prediction of CIN (95% confidence interval: 0.838-0.916, sensitivity: 82.1%, specificity: 77.9%, and P < .001). In conclusion, a greater AS pre-PCI may predict CIN development in patients with stable CAD.