FLOW-RATES OF DIFFERENT CONTRAST-MEDIA IN 4.1 CHARRIERE CORONARY CATHETERS

The studies presented here investigated the obtainable flows of differ ent contrast media (Iopromide 370 mg iodine/ml, ZK 119 095 370 mg iodi ne/ml, ZK 139 129 370 mg iodine/ml, Iopamidol 370 mg iodine/ml, Ioprom ide 300 mg iodine/ml, ZK 119 095 300 mg iodine/ml, ZK 139 129 300 mg i odine/ml, Iopamidol 300 mg iodine/ml, aqua dest.) in 4.1 Charriere cor onary catheters. The measurements of the flow achieved by a standardis ed power of 100 N show that the highest values are reached with the su bstance ZK 119 095 (both for 300 mg iodine/ml and 370 mg iodine/ml). O n comparison of the catheter types there are no differences in the del ivery rate. The x-ray contrast-media, however, are significantly diffe rent: the lowest iodine delivery rate is found for iopromide 370 with 384.5 mg iodine/s; the highest rate for the test substance ZK 119 095 with 648.9 mg iodine/s. Although contrast media with low viscosity con tain considerably less iodine/ml it is possible to achieve an iodine d ensity in coronary vessels by about 86 % higher than that achieved by contrast media with 370 mg iodine/ml. Therefore, the possibility to ch oose a viscosity-adapted x-ray contrast-medium allows the use of very thin cardiac catheter systems without leading to a worsening of pictur e quality.