Ascending lower limb phlebography: comparison of ioversol and iothalamate meglumine

Fifty patients undergoing ascending phlebography of a lower limb were evaluated, in a randomized double-blind fashion, to compare the efficacy, patient tolerance, and safety of two different contrast agents. Ioversol-240 (MP-238), a new nonionic agent, and iothalamate-202 (Conray 43), an established ionic agent, were the contrast agents used. Twenty-five patients were injected with iothalamate and 25 with ioversol. The phlebograms were evaluated for diagnostic quality and the patients for symptoms, with special reference to complaints of heat and pain. No significant difference was demonstrated between the two agents in either examination quality or patient tolerance. No major contrast-related reactions were recorded. We conclude that ioversol-240 appears to be a safe and acceptable alternative to iothalamate-202.