HEMODYNAMIC-EFFECTS AND IMAGE QUALITY OF LOW-OSMOLAR IONIC AND NONIONIC CONTRAST-MEDIA DURING PULMONARY ANGIOGRAPHY

Rationale and Objectives. We compared the hemodynamic responses to ion ic and nonionic low-osmolar contrast media of patients who underwent p ulmonary angiography. Methods. Ninety-nine consecutive patients with s uspected pulmonary emboli were randomly assigned to receive either 40 ml iohexol or 40 ml ioxaglate in 2 sec at 600 psi (0.17 kg/m(2)). Mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulse rate, and blood pressure were reco rded before, immediately after, and 2, 5, and 10 min following injecti on. Image quality was assessed by readers who were unaware of drug ass ignment. Results. Pulmonary arterial pressure increased to a maximum a t 2 min and was higher in patients with pulmonary emboli (p = .06). Th ere were no significant differences between the two contrast media use d. The systolic blood pressure and pulse rate in patients with pulmona ry emboli increased significantly more in the ioxaglate group (ps = .0 3 and .04, respectively). Image quality was excellent in 90% of both g roups. Conclusion. Both contrast agents are safe for pulmonary angiogr aphy and yield similar image quality. There appears to be a positive i notropic effect of ioxaglate.