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N-acetylcysteine as Prophylaxis Against Contrast-Induced Nephropathy: A Meta-Analysis

Babar Rafique, Abdul Rehman Arshad, Sohail Sabir, Umair Ijaz, Obaid Ur Rahman
J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2026 36(4):508-519

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 42015439
DOI
10.29271/jcpsp.2026.04.508
Funding
Funding disclosure was not located in the indexed record reviewed; consult the source publication for the full funding statement.
Competing interests
Competing-interest disclosure was not located in the indexed record reviewed; consult the source publication for the full declaration.

Study snapshot

DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis
ModelHuman
Sample49 studies
InterventionOral NAC strategies for prevention of contrast-associated kidney injury
DurationPeriprocedural
EndpointsAcute kidney injury; Hemodialysis; Mortality

What the study showed, in plain terms

Large 2026 evidence synthesis revisiting NAC for contrast-induced nephropathy.

Key findings

Oral NAC did not reduce acute kidney injury, dialysis or mortality, and dose subgroup analyses did not rescue the effect.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Study-level heterogeneity remains, but the large null evidence base strongly argues against routine prophylactic claims.

Editorial review

Reviewed by the Biohack Blueprint research team

Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology