Adverse events with universal use of iodixanol for CT: comparison with iohexol.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the incidence of adverse events with the universal use of iodixanol for computed tomography (CT) and compare it with periods when iohexol was used exclusively.


METHODS
Iodixanol was used for CT in 15,142 consecutive patients and compared with 22,044 patients who received iohexol.


RESULTS
Adverse events were observed in 116 patients (0.77%) who received iodixanol and in 54 patients (0.25%) who received iohexol (P < 0.001). Immediate and delayed adverse events were seen in 76 and 40 patients (0.50% and 0.26%, respectively) who received iodixanol and in 52 and 2 patients (0.24% and 0.01%, respectively) who received iohexol, respectively (immediate, P = 0.002; delayed, P < 0.001). Adverse events with iodixanol and iohexol were as follows: mild, 89% and 98%; moderate, 10% and 2%; and severe, 1% and 0%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Adverse events occurred in less than 1% of patients receiving either contrast agent. However, the incidence of immediate and delayed adverse events was significantly higher with iodixanol than iohexol.
Ho
Angela L
AL
Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
O'Malley
Martin E
ME
Tomlinson
George A
GA
D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects*
D003287:Contrast Media; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; D007472:Iohexol; C044834:iodixanol