Are iodinated contrast agents detrimental in acute cerebral ischemia? An experimental study in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of iothalamate sodium and two dosages of iopromide in acute cerebral ischemia on infarction volume, neurologic performance, and mortality in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion.


METHODS
Sixty-four rats underwent endovascular occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Four hours later, 16 animals received iothalamate sodium (588 mg iodine per kilogram); 16, iopromide as a single bolus (518 mg iodine per kilogram); and 16, iopromide as a double bolus (1,036 mg iodine per kilogram). Sixteen animals received equivolumetric saline (control group). Neurologic score and body weight were recorded every 8 hours. Twenty-four hours after occlusion, all animals were killed; brains were stained to assess the infarction size.


RESULTS
Single and double doses of iopromide did not affect infarction volume or neurologic performance. Iothalamate caused an increase in infarction volume and worsening of the neurologic score (p < .05). Mortality rate was 25% in the iothalamate group, 12% in the control group, and 6% in the iopromide groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Bolus injection of the nonionic iopromide does not statistically significantly affect infarction volume or cerebral ischemia symptoms. Nonionic rather than ionic contrast agents should be preferred during acute cerebral ischemia.
Doerfler
A
A
Department of Neuroradiology, University of Essen Medical School, Germany.
Engelhorn
T
T
von Kummer
R
R
Weber
J
J
Knauth
M
M
Heiland
S
S
Sartor
K
K
Forsting
M
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D007472:Iohexol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000633:toxicity; D007483:Iothalamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D003287:Contrast Media; D007483:Iothalamic Acid; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide