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Frequency and determinants of adverse reactions induced by high-osmolality contrast media

R D Moore1, E P Steinberg, N R Powe

  • 1Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21205.

Radiology
|March 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Adverse reactions to high-osmolality contrast media are common, especially moderate reactions during cardiac catheterization. Diabetes is a key risk factor for severe reactions and contrast-induced nephrotoxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Nephrology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • High-osmolality contrast media (HOCM) are widely used in medical imaging.
  • Adverse reactions to HOCM can range from mild to severe, necessitating risk factor identification.
  • Patient risk factors for HOCM adverse events include advanced age, diabetes, renal/liver disease, and prior allergic reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence and risk factors of adverse reactions to HOCM.
  • To classify reaction severity and identify predictors of moderate to severe events.
  • To investigate risk factors associated with contrast-induced nephrotoxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 795 hospitalized patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, peripheral angiography, or contrast-enhanced CT.
  • Patients were selected based on predefined risk factors for adverse reactions.
  • Adverse reactions were categorized into mild (Class I), moderate (Class II), and severe (Class III) based on clinical severity.

Main Results:

  • Overall reaction rates: Class I (45%), Class II (5.5%), Class III (0.4%).
  • Class II reactions were more frequent in cardiac catheterization (25%) versus other procedures (2%).
  • Diabetes was the sole significant risk factor for combined Class II and III reactions. Diabetes, furosemide use, and atopy predicted nephrotoxicity.

Conclusions:

  • Moderate adverse reactions to HOCM are common, particularly during cardiac catheterization.
  • Diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for both severe HOCM reactions and contrast-induced nephrotoxicity.
  • Underlying renal insufficiency was not found to be a risk factor for contrast-induced nephrotoxicity in this cohort.

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