Abstract
BACKGROUND: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a known complication after coronary angiography (CAG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Clinical evidence suggests that trimetazidine (TMZ), an anti-ischemic drug, may prevent CI-AKI. We aimed to evaluate the role of trimetazidine in preventing CI-AKI in patients with pre-existing renal dysfunction undergoing CAG or PCI. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases from January 2004 to January 2024. We reviewed RCTs involving participants aged ≥ 18 years with pre-existing renal insufficiency who underwent CAG or PCI. Outcomes should include the incidence of CI-AKI, adverse events, and changes in serum creatinine (Scr) levels at different time intervals. Two reviewers independently extracted the data, evaluated the quality and relevance of the studies, and graded the strength of evidence for each study through consensus. RESULTS: Nine RCTs met the inclusion criteria and assessed the role of TMZ in patients with renal dysfunction who underwent CAG or PCI. All RCTs showed a significant decrease in the incidence of CI-AKI in the TMZ group compared to the control group (RR 0.36, 95% CI, [0.25, 0.52] P < 0.001). Changes in Scr at 24 h (SMD -0.33, 95% CI, [-0.56, -0.10], P = 0.01), at 48 h (SMD -0.27, 95% CI, [-0.46, -0.09], P = 0.01), and 72 h (SMD -0.32, 95% CI, [-0.56, -0.07], P = 0.01) were statistically significant in the TMZ group compared to the control group. However, the changes in Scr beyond 72 h following CAG or PCI were statistically insignificant in the TMZ group when compared to the control group (SMD -0.22, 95% CI, [-0.52, 0.09], P = 0.16). The incidence of adverse effects was lower in the TMZ group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (RR 0.51, 95% CI, [0.29, 0.90]; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The addition of TMZ to standard hydration protocols may offer a promising strategy for lowering the incidence of CI-AKI, adverse events, and postoperative SCr levels in patients with renal insufficiency within 72 h after CAG or PCI. However, large-scale RCTs are necessary to definitively establish the efficacy and safety of TMZ in patients with renal insufficiency after CAG or PCI.