Indirect portography enhanced by nicardipine versus prostaglandin E1.
OBJECTIVE
To compare nicardipine (NCR) and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) for portal venous contrast enhancement on indirect portography in a retrospective study.


METHODS
One milligram of NCR, a calcium antagonist, was injected into the superior mesenteric artery just prior to portography in 18 patients who had undergone otherwise identical portography using 20 micrograms PGE1 36-279 (mean 133) days before. All 18 patients had liver tumors and showed no changes in portal vein status in the interim.


RESULTS
Using conventional film/screen angiography, NCR provided equally good portograms as PGE1 with respect to image density and image contrast. Systemic effects on blood pressure and heart rate were minimal and no other side effects were observed with NCR.


CONCLUSIONS
NCR is an inexpensive drug and is expected to provide well-contrasted, indirect portograms on conventional film/screen angiography.
Inoue
Y
Y
Department of Radiology, Minoo City Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
Nakamura
H
H
Akaji
H
H
Yamasaki
K
K
D000527:Alprostadil; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009529:Nicardipine; D011168:Portal System / Q000187:drug effects; D011172:Portography / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D009529:Nicardipine; D000527:Alprostadil