RenalGuard system and conventional hydration for preventing contrast-associated acute kidney injury in patients undergoing cardiac interventional procedures: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) can increase the mortality of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The purpose of this paper was to compare the efficacy of the RenalGuard System and conventional hydration regimen in preventing CA-AKI in patients with TAVR or PCI.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials (last updated July 11, 2020) for suitable reports. The primary outcome was the occurrence of CA-AKI. The secondary outcomes were renal replacement therapy (RRT), major cardiovascular events (MACEs), and other adverse complications.

Results: The search strategy yielded 270 studies (with data for 2067 participants). In the subgroup of PCI, low incidence of CA-AKI (6.7% vs 15.7%; 95%CI: 0.27 to 0.54; I² = 8%; P < 0.00001) associate with RenalGuard group (RG) rather than control group (CG). Similarly, in the subgroup of TAVR, a low incidence of CA-AKI (15.6% vs 26.9%; 95%CI: 0.35 to 0.82; I² = 88%; P = 0.004) relates to RG. However, this result is highly heterogeneous. Compare with conventional hydration, RenalGuard significantly reduce the incidence of pulmonary edema (1.5%vs4.1%; 95%CI: 0.18 to 0.72; I² = 0%; P = 0.004).

Conclusions: RenalGuard System can lessen the risk of CA-AKI and RRT in patients undergoing PCI. But for patients experiencing TAVR, due to unique hemodynamic effects, the role of RenalGuard remains questionable. RenalGuard is more secure than conventional hydration. Future work should elucidate the feasibility and safety of this prophylactic intervention in cardiac interventional therapy.