Effect of iodinated contrast media on renal function evaluated with dynamic three-dimensional MR renography

To assess the hemodynamic effect of iodinated contrast media (CM) on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by using dynamic three-dimensional magnetic resonance (MR) renography in a rabbit model.

This study was approved by the university animal care and use committee. Twelve healthy male New Zealand rabbits (body mass range, 2.5-3.0 kg) were included. Two of them were sacrificed before MR examination to obtain renal histologic samples as controls. The other ten rabbits completed 4-minute dynamic contrast material-enhanced MR imaging 24 hours before and 20 minutes after intravenous injection of iopamidol (370 mg of iodine per milliliter) at a dose of 6 mL per kilogram of body weight. Blood volume (V(B)), GFR, and tubule volume (V(E)) of the renal cortex were determined with a two-compartment kinetic model. Maximum upslope (K(m)), peak concentration (P(c)), and initial 60-second area under the curve (IAUC) of the whole kidney renogram curve were measured with semiquantitative analysis. The self-control data were compared by using the Student paired t test.

Iopamidol significantly decreased cortical V(B) (mean, 42.53% ± 10.16 [standard deviation] before CM administration vs 27.23% ± 16.13 after CM administration; P < .01), V(E) (mean, 22.40% ± 11.69 before CM administration vs 11.51% ± 6.58 after CM administration; P < .01), and GFR (mean, 31.92 mL/100 g per minute ± 12.52 before CM administration vs 21.48 mL/100 g per minute ± 10.02 after CM administration; P < .01). Results of whole-kidney renogram analysis showed a decrease in K(m), P(c), and IAUC caused by iopamidol administration.

High-dose iopamidol resulted in a marked decrease in renal function, which could be detected at dynamic three-dimensional MR renography.