Acute cardiotoxicity of gadolinium-based contrast media: findings in the isolated rat heart.
OBJECTIVE
The study was designed to compare acute and direct cardiotoxicity of gadopentetate dimeglumine, gadoteridol injection, and gadodiamide injection.


METHODS
Two consecutive injections of contrast material (0.3 to 1.5 mmol/kg body weight) were given to spontaneously beating, isolated rat hearts. Cardiac function was assessed by measuring left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), perfusion pressure, and electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters.


RESULTS
Gadopentetate dimeglumine decreased LVDP, and its first derivatives (+/- dP/dt max) substantially more than gadodiamide injection. Gadoteridol increased these variables. PR and RT intervals lengthened after 1.5 mmol/kg gadopentetate dimeglumine and gadoteridol injection. Bradycardia and ventricular tachyarrhythmias were seen after injection of 1.5 mmol/kg gadopentetate dimeglumine. Except for isolated ventricular premature beats, gadodiamide injection and gadoteridol injection did not provoke any serious arrhythmia.


CONCLUSIONS
Gadopentatate dimeglumine induced negative inotropy and more pronounced ECG disturbances. Gadoteridol injection and gadodiamide injection induced only small changes in left ventricular inotropy and minor electrophysiologic effects.
Akre
B T
BT
School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Norway.
Dunkel
J A
JA
Hustvedt
S O
SO
Refsum
H
H
D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000633:toxicity*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000633:toxicity*; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds / Q000633:toxicity; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000633:toxicity; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000633:toxicity; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects; D017725:Ventricular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects
D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C062402:gadoteridol; D008536:Meglumine; D004369:Pentetic Acid; C064925:gadodiamide; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA