Incompatibility of contrast medium and trisodium citrate.
OBJECTIVE
To test the compatibility of trisodium citrate, a catheter lock solution, with iodinated contrast medium.


METHODS
Iohexol, iobitridol, iodixanol, ioxaglate, ioxithalamate, iomeprol, and iopromide were tested. In all tests, 2 ml of contrast medium were mixed with 2 ml of trisodium citrate solution.


RESULTS
Iodixanol and ioxaglate provoked a highly viscous gluelike precipitation when mixed with trisodium citrate. A brief transient precipitate was observed with iohexol, iomeprol, and ioxithalamate. Permanent precipitation occurred with iobitridol and iopromide.


CONCLUSIONS
One must be aware of the potential for precipitation when contrast medium is mixed with trisodium citrate solution. Before trisodium citrate solution is injected, the catheter should be thoroughly flushed with saline if a contrast medium has previously been injected through it.
Department of Radiology, CHU de Charleroi, 92 bd P. Janson, 6000, Charleroi, Belgium. christian.delcour@chu-charleroi.be
Christian
C
Delcour
Guy
G
Bruninx
D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D002951:Citrates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004344:Drug Incompatibility; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D007485:Ioxaglic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D017751:Safety Management; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology
D002951:Citrates; D003287:Contrast Media; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; C514290:trisodium citrate; C057937:iomeprol; C093233:iobitridol; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide; C044834:iodixanol; D007479:Iopamidol; D007485:Ioxaglic Acid