In group 1 , patients were administered an i.v. infusion of 0.9 % saline ( n = 103 ) ; in group 2 , patients were administered oral NAC in addition to an i.v. saline infusion ( n = 102 ) ; and in group 3 , patients were administered i.v. NAC in addition to an i.v. saline infusion ( n = 102 ) .