Sodium Bicarbonate Reduces Mortality After Coronary Angiography

San Francisco, CA—Hydration using sodium bicarbonate reduces short- and long-term mortality compared with normal saline in patients undergoing coronary angiography with contrast dye, according to a study presented at TCT 2013.

Jeremiah R. Brown, MD, of Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, presented data from a meta-analysis of 11 randomized, controlled studies that examined 30-day and 1-year mortality in 2,634 patients undergoing coronary angiography with contrast dye assigned to either hydration with sodium bicarbonate (n=1,298) or normal saline (n=1,303).

Significantly reduced mortality

The use of sodium bicarbonate reduced mortality following coronary angiography by approximately half at both 30 days and 1-year (see Table).

Table. Mortality After Coronary Angiography

There was no observed heterogeneity at 30 days (P=.85) or 1 year (P=.92), nor any evidence of reporting bias.

Prophylactic use suggested

Sodium bicarbonate is commonly used as a method to hydrate patients and prevent kidney injury, according to Dr. Brown. “Our meta-analysis . . . suggests that the use of sodium bicarbonate may add an additional survival benefit for patients and should be used instead of, or in addition to, normal saline as the key prophylactic agent before and after coronary procedures,” Dr. Brown told TCT Daily.