Radiology, Vol 183, 515-518, Copyright © 1992 by Radiological Society of North America
Iodixanol in excretory urography: initial clinical experience with a nonionic, dimeric (ratio 6:1) contrast medium. Work in progress
ML Gavant and RL Siegle
Department of Radiology, University of Tennessee-Memphis, College of Medicine 38163.
The authors report the first clinical experience in the United States with
the highly water soluble, nonionic dimer (6:1 ratio) contrast medium
iodixanol (5,5'-[(2-hydroxyl-1,3- propanediyl)bis(acetylimino)]bis[N,N' -
bis(2,3dihydroxypropyl)-2,4,6- triodo1,3-benzenedicarbooxa mide]).
Iodixanol has an osmolality less than half that of monomeric, nonionic
equivalent contrast media. Sodium, calcium, and magnesium ions were added
to iodixanol to make the injected solution isosmotic to blood (290 mosm/kg
H2O), with levels of free calcium and magnesium equivalent to levels found
in the blood. Forty patients undergoing elective excretory urography were
studied after bolus injection of doses of iodixanol with either 27 or 32 g
of iodine. No adverse event or idiosyncratic reaction occurred. Seven
patients felt coolness at the site of injection. Diagnostically adequate
urographic examinations were routinely obtained with both doses. Further
clinical investigation with iodixanol is warranted to determine if its
beneficial chemical properties minimize both the chemotoxic and osmotoxic
side effects and the disruption of physiologic functions that are seen with
use of other ionic and nonionic contrast media.
