[Intravenous contrast medium application in elderly patients -- evaluation of Iopentol (Imagopaque 300)].
OBJECTIVE
We examined the subjective compatibility of elderly patients who received the intravenous contrast medium Iopentol (Imagopaquetrade mark 300). In addition, objective data were aquired to show possible interactions between contrast media and organ systems in old patients.


METHODS
A CT scan with intravenous application of contrast media was performed on 132 patients ranging in age from 75 to 96 years. The patients were questioned about their individual sensations. In addition, blood pressure, creatinine and CT-densitometry were acquired as objective data.


RESULTS
The patients' individual sensations and clinical data show a very low rate of complications. Mild allergic reactions were noticed in two patients. No severe anaphylactic reactions were encountered. Statistically significant changes in blood pressure before and after administration of the contrast medium were not observed. The serum creatinine concentration was unchanged after application of contrast media. For CT-densitometry, the patients were divided into two groups, one group with patients 75 - 84 years and the other group with patients 85 - 96 years of age. CT-densitometry showed no age-related differences. The protocol of contrast administration resulted in excellent opacification of the examined regions, only the liver did not enhance in some cases before the opacification of the portal vein.


CONCLUSIONS
It is shown that old age alone is no reason to withhold contrast media containing iodine when performing CT. For the evaluation of the liver, however, the peculiarities of old age have to be taken into account and the interval between injection of the contrast medium and beginning of the spiral-CT has to be extended.
Rathsmann
P
P
Zentrum für Klinische Radiologie, Kliniken Essen-Süd. PeterRathsmann@aol.com
Jacobs
G F
GF
Müller
R-D
RD
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology
D003287:Contrast Media; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; C053571:iopentol; D003404:Creatinine