Hemodynamic effects of ioversol in the dog and rat

The hemodynamic effects of selectively administered ioversol were examined in the dog and rat. At concentrations ranging from 32% to 37% I, wt/vol, ioversol was compared with nonionic (iohexol, iopamidol) and ionic (diatrizoate) contrast media for cardiovascular responses following injections into the femoral vein, right and left coronary arteries, left ventricle, and the pulmonary and femoral arteries of the dog, and into the carotid artery of the rat. Regardless of the intravascular route of injection, ioversol generally caused minimal effects on the heart rate, minimal to moderate decreases in myocardial contractility, left ventricular pressure, mean arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and systemic vascular resistance. These effects of ioversol were comparable to those of iohexol and iopamidol, and were relatively less profound than those of diatrizoate. Under experimental conditions injections of ioversol exerted hemodynamic effects comparable to those of other nonionic agents, yet relatively diminished as compared with a representative high-osmolality ionic contrast agent. These results suggest that the nonionic contrast agent, ioversol, should be well tolerated in patients following injections via similar intravascular routes.