Gadopentetate dimeglumine and iodinated contrast media. Hemodynamic side effects after bolus injections in pigs.
OBJECTIVE
The use of bolus injections of contrast media containing gadolinium for magnetic resonance imaging and their potential use as x-ray absorbents require the evaluation of possible cardiovascular side effects. The hemodynamic reactions of high doses (0.6 mmol/ kg) of gadopentetate dimeglumine (gadolinium [Gd]-DTPA, Magnevist) were evaluated and compared with the side effects of ionic (diatrizoate: Urografin 76%) and nonionic (iopamidol, Solutrast 370) radiographic contrast media.


METHODS
In 18 pigs, pressure and flow of the systemic and pulmonary circulation were monitored after intracardiac bolus injections (2-4 seconds) of dose volumes of 1.2 mL/kg of each contrast agent.


RESULTS
All contrast media decreased the aortic pressure transiently (Gd-DTPA and diatrizoate: -25%, iopamidol: -10%; P < 0.01). Pulmonary artery pressure, cardiac output, and stroke volume increased for several minutes. The vascular resistance declined. Diatrizoate induced stronger and longer-lasting side effects (P < 0.01) than Gd-DTPA and iopamidol.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite of similar osmolality, Gd-DTPA induced weaker side effects than equivolumetric applications of diatrizoate. Other than osmolality, other factors such as viscosity and chemotoxicity influence the side effects of contrast media.
Kuhtz-Buschbeck
J P
JP
Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Kiel, Germany.
Ehrhardt
K
K
Köhnlein
S
S
Radtke
W
W
Heintzen
P
P
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003973:Diatrizoate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D007267:Injections; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008536:Meglumine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D013552:Swine
D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D003973:Diatrizoate; D008536:Meglumine; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium; D007479:Iopamidol; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA