Increased risk for anaphylactoid reaction from contrast media in patients on beta-adrenergic blockers or with asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether greater risk for anaphylactoid reaction from intravenous urographic contrast media exists in patients receiving beta-adrenergic blockers or in asthmatic patients.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Tertiary care, referral-based medical center.


METHODS
Of 28,978 intravenous urographic contrast media procedures done from July 1987 to June 1988, 49 patients experienced moderate to severe anaphylactoid reaction. Medical records from these 49 reactors were compared with those from a control group matched for gender, age, and date and type of contrast study who received intravenous urographic contrast media without adverse reaction.


RESULTS
Patients exposed to beta-adrenergic blockers or with asthma comprised 39% (19 of 49) of reactors, compared to 16% (13 of 83) of matched controls (odds ratio, 3.43; 95% CI, 1.45 to 8.15; P = 0.005). Exposure to beta-blockers was 27% among reactors and 12% in matched controls (odds ratio, 2.67; CI, 1.01 to 7.05; P = 0.036). Asthma was found in 12% of reactors and 4% of controls; after correction for beta-blocker use, asthma was also associated with increased risk for anaphylactoid reaction (odds ratio, 4.54; CI, 1.03 to 20.05; P = 0.046). Compared with nonasthmatic patients not taking beta-blockers, asthmatic patients were at greater risk for anaphylactoid reaction with bronchospasm (P = 0.02). Five of 13 reactors receiving beta-blockers became hypotensive, and three needed hospitalization. Compared with nonasthmatic patients not taking beta-blockers, patients exposed to beta-blocking drugs were almost nine times (odds ratio, 8.7; CI, 0.81 to 93.5; P = 0.075) more likely to be hospitalized after an anaphylactoid reaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased risk for moderate to severe anaphylactoid reaction from intravenous urographic contrast media exists in patients receiving beta-adrenergic blockers or with asthma. These patients are appropriate target populations for efforts to reduce risk before intravenous urographic contrast media are administered.
Lang
D M
DM
Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan.
Alpern
M B
MB
Visintainer
P F
PF
Smith
S T
ST
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications*; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D014567:Urography / Q000379:methods
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D003287:Contrast Media