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The effects of a hyperosmolar intravenous contrast medium on blood viscosity
D A Lloyd1, J S Stein, M I Rowe
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Abstract:
The effects of the hyperosmolar contrast medium, diatrizoate meglumine (Renografin-76) on blood viscosity and other metabolic parameters were measured in 20 immature piglets. Intravenous contrast medium caused a significant (P less than .5) increase in serum osmolality, cardiac output, and urine output, and a decrease in hematocrit. There was a fall in blood viscosity that was not statistically significant. These changes, which are attributed to an acute shift of fluid into the hyperosmolar vascular compartment, were greatest at 3 minutes following injection and subsequently returned towards baseline levels. We conclude that blood viscosity is not increased following intravenous injection of hyperosmolar radiocontrast media.