ADVERSE REACTIONS TO NONIONIC IODINE IN CONTRAST-ENHANCED COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY - USEFULNESS OF MONITORING VITAL SIGNS

Objectives: To report on adverse reactions to intravenous nonionic iod ine contrast media and evaluate the usefulness of monitoring vital sig ns. Materials and methods: A prospective study of 1537 consective pati ents who received contrast-enhanced CT with nonionic iodine was perfor med. Systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure, pulse rate and ar terial blood oxygen saturation were monitored. Severity of adverse rea ctions was classified as minor, intermediate and severe. Results: A to tal of 64 adverse reactions developed in 57 patients. The overall prev alence was 3.7% (57/1537). The most common symptom was nausea (18/64) followed by pharyngeal discomfort (11/64). One patient had a severe re action consisting of prolonged hypotension. Four patients had an inter mediate reaction, three transient hypotension or hypertension and one extensive urticaria and facial edema. In two out of four patients who became hypotensive or hypertensive, the reactions developed without an y obvious clinical symptoms. Conclusion: Severe or life-threatening ac ute adverse reactions to intravenous nonionic iodine contrast media ma y develop without any obvious clinical symptoms. Monitoring vital sign s is very helpful for early detection.