GADOPENTETATE DIMEGLUMINE AND IODINATED CONTRAST-MEDIA - HEMODYNAMIC SIDE-EFFECTS AFTER BOLUS INJECTIONS IN PIGS

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. The use of bolus injections of contrast medi a containing gadolinium for magnetic resonance imaging and their poten tial use as x-ray absorbents require the evaluation of possible cardio vascular side effects, The hemodynamic reactions of high doses (0.6 mm ol/kg) of gadopentetate dimeglumine (gadolinium [Gd]-DTPA, Magnevist) were evaluated and compared with the side effects of ionic (diatrizoat e: Urografin 76%) and nonionic (iopamidol, Solutrast 370) radiographic contrast media, METHODS. In 18 pigs, pressure and flow of the systemi c and pulmonary circulation were monitored after intracardiac bolus in jections (2-4 seconds) of dose volumes of 1.2 mL/kg of each contrast a gent, RESULTS, All contrast media decreased the aortic pressure transi ently (Gd-DTPA and diatrizoate: -25%, iopamidol: -10%; P < 0.01), Pulm onary artery pressure, cardiac output, and stroke volume increased for several minutes. The vascular resistance declined, Diatrizoate induce d stronger and longer-lasting side effects (P < 0.01) than Gd-DTPA and iopamidol, CONCLUSIONS, Despite of similar osmolality, Gd-DTPA induce d weaker side effects than equivolumetric applications of diatrizoate, Other than osmolality, other factors such as viscosity and chemotoxic ity influence the side effects of contrast media.