[Renal toxicity of contrast media. Experimental study on dogs (author's transl)]

Experiments injecting Indian ink have confirmed the theory that postangiographic renal damage is due primarily to ischaemia. Cortical ischaemia is due to vascular spasm and sludging caused by contrast medium. Current and previous experimental findings suggest the following course in the pathomechanism: vasospasm reduced blood velocity--aggregation of erythrocytes--further deterioration in the circulation--microemboli--irreversible sludge formation--arterial and venous thromboses--ischaemic foci--necrosis or infarction. It is not possible to prevent this damage by alpha blocking sympathicolytic drugs.