Rationale and Objectives. The study was designed to compare acute and
direct cardiotoxicity of gadopentetate dimeglumine, gadoteridol inject
ion, and gadodiamide injection. Methods. Two consecutive injections of
contrast material (0.3 and 1.5 mmol/kg body weight) were given to spo
ntaneously beating, isolated rat hearts. Cardiac function was assessed
by measuring left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), perfusion pr
essure, and electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters. Results. Gadopentet
ate dimeglumine decreased LVDP, and its first derivatives (+/-dP/dt(ma
x)) substantially more than gadodiamide injection. Gadoteridol increas
ed these variables. PR and RT intervals lengthened after 1.5 mmol/kg g
adopentetate dimeglumine and gadoteridol injection. Bradycardia and ve
ntricular tachyarrhythmias were seen after injection of 1.5 mmol/kg ga
dopentetate dimeglumine. Except for isolated ventricular premature bea
ts, gadodiamide injection and gadoteridol injection did not provoke an
y serious arrhythmia. Conclusion. Gadopentetate dimeglumine induced ne
gative inotropy and more pronounced ECG disturbances. Gadoteridol inje
ction and gadodiamide injection induced only small changes in left ven
tricular inotropy and minor electrophysiologic effects.