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Ventricular fibrillation in coronary angiography: what is the role of contrast medium?

S J Armstrong1, K P Murphy, P Wilde

  • 1Department of Radiodiagnosis, Bristol Royal Infirmary, U.K.

European Heart Journal
|October 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

This study found no increased risk of serious arrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation, with non-ionic contrast media during coronary angiography. Technical factors, not contrast type, were linked to arrhythmias in patients undergoing the procedure.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Coronary angiography is a key diagnostic tool for coronary artery disease.
  • Arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation, are potential complications.
  • The safety of different contrast media is an ongoing area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of ventricular fibrillation and serious arrhythmias during coronary angiography.
  • To identify factors contributing to these arrhythmias.
  • To assess if non-ionic contrast media increases arrhythmia risk compared to ionic contrast media.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 3660 patients undergoing coronary angiography.
  • Analysis of arrhythmia incidence and correlation with contrast media type (ionic vs. non-ionic).
  • Evaluation of technical factors associated with observed arrhythmias.

Main Results:

  • Ten cases of ventricular fibrillation were identified among 3660 patients.
  • Identifiable technical factors were associated with all ventricular fibrillation cases.
  • No significant difference in serious arrhythmia incidence was found between ionic and non-ionic contrast media groups.

Conclusions:

  • Ventricular fibrillation during coronary angiography is rare and primarily linked to technical factors.
  • Non-ionic contrast media does not appear to increase the risk of serious arrhythmias compared to ionic contrast media.
  • Technically satisfactory injections of either contrast type were not associated with ventricular fibrillation.

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