Validation of mehran score for contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing cardiac catherization in a Pakistani cohort

Submission: 01 August 2025 | Acceptance: 25 September 2025 | Publication: 20 November 2025

¹Dr. Sonia Yaqub, ²Dr. Ali Mikdad Hassan, ³Dr. Ariba Nisar, ⁴Dr. Ahsan Ali Gaad

¹Associate Professor AKU Nephrology Department, AKU

²AKU

³AKU

⁴Senior Registrar, BUHSCK

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of CIN in patients undergoing coronary catheterization and assess the predictive validity of the Mehran Risk Score (MRS) in a real-world clinical population.

METHODOLOGY: This single-center prospective study enrolled 300 adults aged 18–70 years undergoing non-emergent coronary catheterization at Aga Khan University Hospital using non-probability consecutive sampling. Data on demographics, comorbidities, and procedural variables were collected. The Mehran Risk Score was calculated for each patient. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, employing descriptive statistics and evaluating the diagnostic performance of the Mehran Risk Score.

RESULTS: Among 300 patients (mean age 55.3±16.9 years; 62% male), 78 (26%) developed contrast-induced nephropathy. CIN patients had lower eGFR (59.3 ± 19.4 vs. 70.9 ± 12.9; p=0.0001) and higher Mehran scores (7.53±4.28 vs. 4.23±3.61; p=0.0001). Diabetes, CKD, anemia, and heart failure were significantly associated with CIN (p < 0.01). The Mehran Risk Score demonstrated predictive value (AUC 0.730), with 69.2% sensitivity and 73.0% specificity.

CONCLUSION: The Mehran Risk Score was found to have a useful predictive capacity in identifying patients who are at a greater risk of contrast-induced nephropathy who are undergoing non-emergent coronary catheterization. The score was consistent with the main clinical risk factors that are present in this group such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and anemia. It can be applied to facilitate timely stratification of risks and preventive approaches in other comparable clinical contexts, especially in resource-constrained healthcare settings.

KEYWORDS: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Contrast-Induced Nephropathy, Risk Assessment, Acute Kidney Injury