MUST THE PATIENT FAST BEFORE INTRAVASCULA R INJECTION OF NONIONIC CONTRAST-MEDIA - RESULTS OF A CONTROLLED-STUDY

Purpose: Prospective evaluation of food and fluid restriction before t he intravascular injection of a non-ionic contrast medium. Material an d methods: 1000 patients (657 men, 343 women; average age 59+/-1/4 5 y ears) undergoing intravascular contrast injections (CT, phlebography, angiography, urography) were randomly allocated to two groups. Group A had no fluid or solids for at least four hours before the injection ( 499 cases); group B were allowed unlimited food and fluid (501 cases). Both groups were comparable in all other respects and all were given the non-ionic contrast medium iopamidol (300 mg l/ml). Results: The in cidence of acute complications was 3.5%. There was, however, no statis tically significant difference between the two groups (p=0.29). Late a dverse reactions were seen in 3.9% patients. There was again no differ ence between the two groups (p=0.33). No serious or life threatening c omplications occured. Conclusion: Restriction of food and fluid before intravascular injection of contrast medium does not reduce the number of adverse side effects. For reasons of patient comfort and complianc e, and to achieve adequate hydration, the patient should not fast befo re injection of contrast.