Comparison of vascular opacification after bolus injection of iodixanol-320 iohexol-350.
OBJECTIVE
The vascular opacification characteristics of a new nonionic, dimeric contrast agent, iodixanol, have been compared with a nonionic, monomeric agent, iohexol, using ultrafast computed tomography (UFCT).


METHODS
In 10 experiments with mongrel dogs, the contrast agents were alternately injected into the animal's left atrium, and UFCT images were obtained at four cross-sectional levels through the carotid arteries. Time-density curves were then obtained for each carotid artery and each agent. The peak height and area under the curves were compared for each agent.


RESULTS
Iohexol provided significantly (P < or = .05) greater opacification, determined by paired Student's t tests.


CONCLUSIONS
This result was predicted from the greater iodine concentration of iohexol (350 mg/mL) compared with iodixanol (320 mg/mL); the difference was greater than expected based on iodine content alone.
Gould
R
R
Department of Radiology, University of California San Francisco 94143.
Brasch
R C
RC
Sievers
R
R
Baxter
A
A
Aicher
K
K
D000818:Animals; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D004285:Dogs; D006325:Heart Atria; D007267:Injections; D007472:Iohexol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D003287:Contrast Media; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; D007472:Iohexol; C044834:iodixanol