X-RAY CONTRAST-MEDIA IN CORONARY ANGIOGRA PHY

In coronary angiography, the only X-ray contrast media (XRCM) employed today are iodinated and water-soluble. For invasive catheter diagnost ics there are ionic and nonionic XRCM available with the requisite X-r ay opacity for coronary angiography. The nonionic substances introduce d in the 80s are now preferred. The decisive practical factors for XRC M are X-ray opacity and biocompatibility. The quality criterion that d ecides whether the X-tay contrast is sufficient is the amount of iodin e administered over time, and this in turn is determined by the iodine concentration and the viscosity of the contrast medium. Tolerability of a contrast medium is governed above all by its viscosity, osmolarit y and ionic concentration. This is a survey of the effect of the physi cal properties of XRCM on the contrast medium flow achievable and of b iological tolerance with respect to side effect incidence, types of si de effects as well as theological and microcirculatory effects of the substances.