Pulmonary angiography performed with iopamidol: complications in 1,434 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety of pulmonary angiography performed with iopamidol compared with pulmonary angiography performed with ionic contrast media.


METHODS
The data in 1,434 patients who underwent pulmonary angiography with iopamidol 76% were retrospectively reviewed. Complications that occurred within 48 hours were identified with review of hospital charts and/or computer records.


RESULTS
Pulmonary arterial hypertension was present in 402 patients and was severe in 99. Pulmonary embolus was diagnosed in 357 patients (24.9%). Major complications occurred in four patients (0.3%). Respiratory insufficiency occurred in two of these patients. Catheterization was not completed in two patients due to catheter-induced cardiac arrhythmia that was refractory to treatment. No procedure-related deaths occurred. During the periprocedural period, eight patients required intubation and 10 patients died; all patients previously were critically ill.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulmonary angiography is a safe procedure, and the margin of safety is enhanced by the use of iopamidol.
Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
E R
ER
Hudson
T P
TP
Smith
V G
VG
McDermott
G E
GE
Newman
P V
PV
Suhocki
C S
CS
Payne
D J
DJ
Stackhouse
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002407:Catheterization, Swan-Ganz / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003287:Contrast Media; D007479:Iopamidol