Radiology, Vol 183, 159-161, Copyright © 1992 by Radiological Society of North America
Ionized calcium levels in coronary sinus blood during coronary angiography: effects of four contrast media
M Mitsumori, K Hayakawa, T Torizuka, Y Okuno, T Monji, H Uwatoko, K Kitamura and M Abe
Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
The changes in ionized calcium level in the coronary sinus during coronary
angiography were compared for four contrast media (meglumine sodium
diatrizoate, iohexol, iopamidol, and meglumine sodium ioxaglate) in 44
subjects. Blood samples were collected before and 5, 15, and 30 seconds
after injection of contrast medium into the left coronary artery. The
hematocrit and ionized calcium level of each specimen were measured.
Meglumine sodium diatrizoate produced the largest changes in hematocrit and
ionized calcium level. The time-concentration curve of the hematocrit was
similar for all four contrast media, but diatrizoate and ioxaglate produced
a prolonged decrease of ionized calcium. The cause of this is not clear,
but the phenomenon may be related to differences of ionic status among the
contrast media. With respect to maintenance of the ionized calcium level,
nonionic low-osmolality contrast medium with added calcium may be
preferable for coronary angiography.
