EFFECT OF IODIXANOL ON IN-VITRO BLEEDING-TIME

Rationale and Objectives. Both monomeric and dimeric ionic radio contr ast media (CM) have been shown to be more anticoagulant than nonionic monomeric CM. Iodixanol is a relatively new nonionic dimeric contrast medium. We investigated whether the dimeric structure of iodixanol wou ld produce the same level of anticoagulation that has been observed us ing nonionic monomeric CM. Methods. We used a global screening device that operates under physiologic flow conditions to monitor the effects of iodixanol on in vitro bleeding time (IVBT). This flow dynamic tech nique perfuses nonanticoagulated whole blood through a hollow fiber de vice. A leak in the fiber is created by a precision needle, and the re sulting pressure fluctuations within the fiber are monitored to examin e the ability of the hemostatic system to close the leak by forming a stable platelet plug. Results. In 20 donors, iodixanol (25% CM/blood, v/v) was shown to lengthen the mean IVBT (18.74 min) compared with the normal blood mean IVBT (4.24 min). Conclusion. The addition of dimeri c iodixanol to normal blood affects the NET in the same manner as noni onic monomeric CM (ioversol, iopamidol, and iohexol).