Ioversol for intravenous urography: a comparison study

A new nonionic, low-osmolar iodinated contrast media, ioversol, was compared with another low-osmolar, nonionic contrast media, iohexol, in 80 patients undergoing intravenous urography. There were 40 patients in each contrast group. Patients were assessed for changes in vital signs, patient tolerance (heat and pain), and other adverse effects. Double-blind evaluation was also performed for comparison of the urogram image quality. There were no severe, life-threatening reactions for either contrast group. Ten patients (25%) receiving ioversol and seven (17.5%) receiving iohexol perceived body heat related to the injection of contrast material. Two patients (5%) in each group experienced mild nausea. Two patients (5%) of each group experienced noted unpleasant taste, and two patients (5%) of the iohexol group complained of headache. Vital signs remained stable without significant change in both groups, and image quality was considered equivalent. The results indicate that the two contrast agents are equivalent in image quality, safety, and incidence of adverse effects.