Iomeprol vs iopamidol in intraarterial peripheral digital subtraction angiography

The aim of this research was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of iomeprol, 150 mg iodine/mL, a new nonionic contrast medium, and iopamidol, 150 mg iodine/mg in intraarterial (IA) peripheral digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in 100 patients; a group of 40 patients were also submitted to a complete coagulation screening to check the influence of contrast media on blood clotting. The study was a comparative, double-blind clinical trial. The compound was assigned to each patient according to a randomization list. Small size (4-5 French) catheters were used in all patients to minimize arterial trauma and bedding time and to assess the quality of x-ray pictures in this condition. Vital signs, EKG tracings and laboratory parameters were monitored before and after the angiographic procedure; the coagulation screening included: thrombin time, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, euglobulin lysis time, plasma thromboplastin antecedent, and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI). Both contrast media did not produce any adverse reaction or clinically significant alteration of studied parameters; in the 40-patient group subjected to massive coagulative screening, no important alteration after contrast media administration was reported. The score for contrastographic efficacy was very good with both media with a prevalence of better results in the iomeprol group.