Contrast medium induced changes in granulocyte adherence in vitro and during angiography

The effect of ioxaglate and diatrizoate on per cent granulocyte adherence to nylon fibers was investigated in blood to which contrast medium was added in vitro and in blood from patients undergoing angiography. Very high concentrations of contrast medium, added to blood in vitro, directly abolished granulocyte adherence to nylon fibers. Intraaortic bolus injections of ioxaglate, but not of saline, transiently increased granulocyte concentrations in the femoral vein. Fractional granulocyte adherence to nylon fibers increased significantly above the baseline when angiographic dosages of contrast medium were diluted by circulation within the human body. On the other hand, dilute concentrations of contrast medium had no effect on per cent granulocyte adherence when added to whole blood in vitro. This indicates that the increased adherence produced in vivo is an indirect effect, which, usually, cannot be simulated in vitro.