[Early hemodynamic cardiovascular reactions to nonionic low-osmolar contrast media in coronary angiography]

During the last 20 years there was an essential improvement in the tolerance of intravasal contrast media, leading to the nonionic low osmotic contrast media. In 26 consecutive patients with different stages of coronary heart disease the nonionic low osmolar contrast media iopamidol (Solutrast) and iopromide (Ultravist) were tested during coronary artery and left ventricular angiography. In both contrast media there were practically identically only slight early haemodynamic reactions with a decrease of heart rate, systolic pressure in the left ventricle, pressure in the aorta and an increase in pressure in the pulmonary artery and partly in cardiac output. These reactions are probably due to higher osmolality in comparison with blood. Therefore, further development of isotonic contrast media would be necessary.