INFLUENCE OF A NONIONIC RADIOGRAPHY CONTRAST-MEDIUM ON THE MICROCIRCULATION

Purpose, Material and Methods: Microcirculatory disturbances may be re sponsible for some of the adverse effects induced by contrast media. T he influence of iopromide 370 (Ultravist) on cutaneous microcirculatio n was therefore investigated in 15 patients in a prospective study. Tw enty mi of iopromide and 20 ml 0.9% NaCl were injected as reference in the subclavian artery at the beginning of a diagnostic coronary angio graphy. Erythrocyte velocity was measured in ipsilateral nailfold capi llaries at the beginning of, during, and after the injection continuou sly up to 6 min after injection. Results: On average, 30 s after injec tion of contrast medium, erythrocyte velocity decreased significantly by 51.3% (p < 0.0001) and remained reduced up to 120 s. This reaction was observed in 14 out of 15 patients. Three patients showed a tempora ry cessation of capillary blood flow. Conclusion: The adverse effects sometimes seen during coronary angiography can be explained if similar contrast medium induced microcirculatory disturbances in the myocardi al vasculature.