title: General toxicity of water-soluble iodinated contrast media. Pathogenic concepts.
abstract: Despite many studies, the mechanism of the general accidents induced by the intravascular injection of water-soluble iodinated contrast media remains unclear. Two theories are proposed; until now, they have not been related to each other. Lalli emphasizes the role of a cerebral impact related to stress, which induces a chain of accidents that are perhaps more aggressive when the molecules cross the blood-brain barrier. Lasser has proposed a theory based on the biochemical catastrophies secondary to the damage of the vascular endothelium and the activation of the Hageman's factor XII. A true anaphylaxis has not been proven: specific immunoglobulins are only exceptionally found, and an actual primary activation of the complement system pathway with mediator release is a controversial phenomenon in vivo. The anaphylactoid collapses result from a chemotoxic effect that might be decreased by several kinds of pharmaceutical premedications; none of them are constantly efficient. The new low osmolar molecules have a very low general toxicity, but their use does not guarantee the lack of anaphylactoid reactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hôpital Boucicaut, Paris, France.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lesavre
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Luca
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hennessen
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giwerc
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000818:Animals; D003167:Complement Activation; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D005174:Factor XII / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D011288:Prekallikrein / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005174:Factor XII; D011288:Prekallikrein