title: Use of peak expiratory flow rate to identify patients with increased risk of contrast medium reaction. Results of preliminary study.
abstract: Although the intravenous injection of iodinated contrast media is usually well tolerated by patients, it does cause a significant number of side effects. The current study was designed to determine whether the measurement of peak-expiratory-flow rate before injection of contrast medium can be taken as a predictor of reactions to contrast media. The study covers a population of 100 patients who underwent excretory urography; those with a history of allergy or atopic hypersensitivity were given premedication before contrast injection. Peak-expiratory-flow measurements were made 10 minutes before, and immediately before injection, and at 1 and 15 minutes postinjection by a Wright flow meter. They revealed a subclinical bronchospasm after the intravenous injection of iodinated contrast medium that was more severe for subjects demonstrating an untoward reaction to contrast media. A single measurement of peak expiratory flow 10 minutes before contrast injection is, in itself, a good indicator of increased risk. A patient with a peak expiratory flow of less than 400 L/min 10 minutes before the injection, runs a 3.8 times higher risk of developing an adverse reaction to intravascular radiodiagnostic compounds in this study.
authors.affiliation: Service de Radiologie Adultes, Pr Rouleau, Chu Tours, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bertrand
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rouleau
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alison
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chastin
mesh_terms: D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011292:Premedication; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media