Effect of i.v. injection of radiographic contrast media on human renal blood flow.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to assess the effect of an i.v. injection of iodinated radiographic contrast medium on human renal blood flow using cine phase-contrast MRI.


METHODS
We examined 12 healthy adult volunteers. Blood flow in one renal artery was measured using cine phase-contrast imaging (1.5-T MR system). Each volunteer received 120 mL of isotonic sodium chloride on study day 1 and 120 mL of a low-osmolar, nonionic, iodinated contrast medium (iomeprol, 400 mg I/mL) on study day 2. Repetitive measurements were performed before (up to five measurements in 5 minutes) and after (up to 13 measurements in 30 minutes) the injection was started.


RESULTS
Mean basal renal artery blood flow was 664 mL/min. In response to the injection of the test substances, we found a significantly larger decrease in average renal blood flow for contrast medium than for sodium chloride (31.9 mL/min vs 18.3 mL/min, p = 0.0481). Furthermore, in analyzing the measurements at early time points, we found a significant decrease (11.4% +/- 4.7% [SD]; Bonferroni-corrected, p < 0.05) in renal blood flow 2 minutes after the injection of the contrast medium was started. Sodium chloride did not produce a significant effect at any time.


CONCLUSIONS
Cine phase-contrast MRI can measure a decrease in renal blood flow in humans in response to an i.v. injection of iodinated radiographic contrast medium. Therefore, cine phase-contrast MRI can be a helpful and noninvasive tool for further investigations of contrast media-induced changes in human renal blood flow and their possible impact on the development of contrast-induced nephropathy.
Hackstein
Nils
N
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Justus-Liebig-University, Klinikstrasse 36, 35392 Giessen, Hessen, Germany.
Schneider
Christian
C
Eichner
Gerrit
G
Rau
Wigbert S
WS
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D017613:Iodine Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*
D003287:Contrast Media; D017613:Iodine Compounds