title: The non-ionic dimers: a new class of contrast agents.
abstract: Non-ionic dimers are a new class of iodinated radiological contrast agents. Some physico-chemical and pharmacological properties of three representative compounds are presented. Non-ionic dimers are iso-osmolar with plasma at all iodine concentrations unless diluted with saline and in terms of chemotoxicity they appear to be closely comparable with the established non-ionic monomeric agents. It is shown that the data lend support to the theory that it is the degree of steric hindrance of the hydrophobic iodine atoms by side-chains which determines this chemotoxicity. Areas in which agents of this type may find applications are indicated.
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D003287:Contrast Media