Hepatic contrast enhancement at CT: influence of intravenous glucagon in a canine model.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of glucagon on the timing and degree of hepatic enhancement at computed tomography.


METHODS
Each of 11 dogs underwent injection of contrast material at two uniphasic rates (0.5 mL/sec and 1.5 mL/sec) with without previous intravenous administration of 0.5 mg of glucagon. Scans were obtained at a single intrahepatic level every 3.5 seconds for 120-160 seconds. Attenuation values in the liver, aorta, portal vein, and inferior vena cava (IVC) were measured.


RESULTS
Glucagon administration was associated with greater hepatic enhancement throughout the study: Peak hepatic enhancement was greater at contrast injection rates of 0.5 mL/sec (P = .021) and 1.5 mL/sec (P = .0001). Peak hepatic enhancement also occurred earlier during the glucagon runs. Portal vein enhancement was greater during the glucagon runs at an injection rate of 1.5 mL/sec (P = .032). IVC enhancement was greater during the nonglucagon runs at 0.5 mL/sec (P = .013) and at 1.5 mL/sec (P = .005).


CONCLUSIONS
Intravenous administration of glucagon before contrast material injection produces greater and more rapid hepatic enhancement in a canine model.
D000818:Animals; D001027:Aortography; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005934:Glucagon / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006339:Heart Rate; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000502:physiology; D011172:Portography; D011674:Pulse; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D003287:Contrast Media; D005934:Glucagon