- Unless contra-indicated, all patients elective will receive intravenous hydration during 12 hours pre- and 12 hours post-PCI. For patients with acute coronary syndrome, intensive intravenous hydration should be initiated as early as possible. Saline (NaCl 0.9%) infusion is recommended at a dose of 1 ml / kg body weight per hour, 25 and reduced to 0.5 ml/kg/h for those at high risk of volume overload (e.g. reduced left ventricular function or overt heart failure).The use of N-acetylcysteine or sodium bicarbonate will be left to operator discretion.