Effects of body habitus on contrast-induced acute kidney injury after percutaneous coronary intervention

Background Limiting the contrast volume to creatinine clearance (V/CrCl) ratio is crucial for preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the incidence of CI-AKI and the distribution of V/CrCl ratios may vary according to patient body habitus. Objective We aimed to identify the clinical factors predicting CI-AKI in patients with different body mass indexes (BMIs). Methods We evaluated 8782 consecutive patients undergoing PCI and who were registered in a large Japanese database. CI-AKI was defined as an absolute serum creatinine increase of 0.3 mg/dL or a relative increase of 50%. The effect of the V/CrCl ratio relative to CI-AKI incidence was evaluated within the low- (≤25 kg/m2) and high- (>25 kg/m2) BMI groups, with a V/CrCl ratio > 3 considered to be a risk factor for CI-AKI. Results A V/CrCl ratio > 3 was predictive of CI-AKI, regardless of BMI (low-BMI group: odds ratio [OR], 1.77 [1.42–2.21]; P < 0.001; high-BMI group: OR, 1.67 [1.22–2.29]; P = 0.001). The relationship between BMI and CI-AKI followed a reverse J-curve relationship, although baseline renal dysfunction (creatinine clearance <60 mL/min, 46.9% vs. 21.5%) and V/CrCl ratio > 3 (37.3% vs. 20.4%) were predominant in the low-BMI group. Indeed, low BMI was a significant predictor of a V/CrCl ratio > 3 (OR per unit decrease in BMI, 1.08 [1.05–1.10]; P < 0.001). Conclusions A V/CrCl ratio > 3 was strongly associated with the occurrence of CI-AKI. Importantly, we also identified a tendency for physicians to use higher V/CrCl ratios in lean patients. Thus, recognizing this trend may provide a therapeutic target for reducing the incidence of CI-AKI.