An Investigation into How L-Carnitine Consumption Prevents Contrast-induced Nephropathy: A Case Study of Patients Getting Coronary Angiograms in Iran

Abstract

Abstract Background Contrast-induced nephropathy is a critical complication of coronary angiography and angioplasty. The overall goal of this inquiry is to evaluate how L-carnitine can help prevent contrast-induced nephropathy in patients getting coronary angiograms in an Educational-Therapeutic-Research Center. Methods As a randomized clinical trial, this experiment was conducted in an Educational-Therapeutic-Research Center in Rasht, Iran. 286 patients (143 patients receiving L-carnitine and 143 patients in the control group) who underwent elective angiography and PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) in 2020 were recruited. The treatment group patients consumed 3 g of L-carnitine three times a day, 24 hours before the procedure (3 g before PCI), and 3 g after PCI. Also, the subjects of the control group were not given any L-carnitine. Results The mean age of patients in the intervention group was 58.6 ± 12 years. In the intervention group, 88 (61.5%) were male, and 55 were female. In the control group, 90 (64.3%) were male, and 53 (35.7%) were female. The results showed that 11 patients (3.8%) had nephropathy in the studied patients and 7 patients (4.9%) and 4 patients (2.8%) had nephropathy in the treatment and control groups, respectively. The results of the Fisher test showed that the frequency distribution of nephropathy in the two groups was not significantly different (p = 0.54). The linear regression analysis indicated that the GFR levels in the intervention group is significantly greater than the control group [P = 0.012, β = 5.520 (CI = 1.24–9.80)]. Conclusions Our results showed that L-carnitine significantly improved renal function by increase in GFR in patients undergoing angiography and angioplasty.