Allergic reactions at repeat femoral angiography with ioxaglate.
OBJECTIVE
To study the occurrence of allergy-like reactions at angiography, repeated several times, and, secondly, to evaluate the effect of prophylactic treatment in individuals who had earlier experienced such reactions.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-seven patients with hypercholesterolaemia, participating in the Probucol Quantitative Regression Swedish Trial (PQRST), underwent aortofemoral angiography with ioxaglate (Hexabrix) repeated annually for 3 years. Allergic reactions to the contrast medium were recorded. At the following angiographies, all patients who had earlier experienced such reactions were treated prophylactically with steroids and antihistamine.


RESULTS
Allergic reactions were observed in 35 patients. Twelve reacted only year 0, 3 only year 1, 5 only year 2 and 6 only year 3. Eight patients had at least one reaction also when treated prophylactically. It was significantly (p<0.05) more common to react at year 0 but not at year 1 than to react at year 1 but not at year 0. At years 1, 2 and 3 the frequency of reactions was significantly greater in the group given prophylactic treatment than in the group without any earlier reaction at all: 8/20 versus 3/137, 4/23 versus 6/134, and 6/29 versus 6/128, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Some individuals had an increased risk of an allergy-like reaction to the contrast agent. Prophylactic treatment reduced the risk of renewed reactions, but not to the same level as for those without earlier reaction. Nevertheless, individuals who have had earlier reactions can be investigated in the future, with prophylactic treatment.
Nilsson
S
S
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Bergstrand
L
L
Erikson
U
U
Johansson
J
J
Smedby
O
O
Walldius
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007485:Ioxaglic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use
D003287:Contrast Media; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D013256:Steroids; D007485:Ioxaglic Acid