Efficacy of N-Acetylcysteine in Preventing Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiac Surgery: A Meta-Analysis Study

Purpose: To evaluate whether perioperative N-acetylcysteine (NAC) administration reduces the risk of cardiac surgery associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI). Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review (Medline, PubMed, Cochrane, Biomedical central, Google Scholar) identified 10 studies (1391 patients; 695 NAC and 696 placebo) that compared the efficacy and adverse effects of perioperative NAC administration for CSA-AKI prevention in adults undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis statistical software. Results: Patients in the NAC-treated and placebo groups had similar rate of CSA-AKI occurrence, change in creatinine levels, as well as the in-hospital mortality rate (RR = 0.841, 95% CI = 0.691 to 1.023, p = 0.083; pooled difference in means = ?0.328, 95% CI = ?0.712 to 0.056, p = 0.094; RR = 0.741, 95% CI = 0.388 to 1.418, p = 0.366, respectively). Conclusions: Our study does not support perioperative NAC administration as a mean to reduce the risk of CSA-AKI.