[Acute cardiac side effects of iodecol, a new nonionic dimer roentgen contrast medium, in intracoronary injection]

The effects of intracoronary injections of Iodecol, a nonionic-dimeric contrast medium (iodine content 350 mg/ml, osmolality 0.34 osmol/kg, viscosity 13.8 mPa X s) on haemodynamics, coronary blood flow, ECG, and cationic content as well as osmolality of coronary sinus blood have been evaluated and compared to those of Iopamidol and Amidotrizoate. Experiments were carried out in 9 closed-chest dogs using heart catheterisation techniques. After Iodecol and Iopamidol only positive inotropism was seen while Amidotrizoate initially had cardiodepressive effects. Iodecol caused less increase of peak velocity of pressure rise and systolic blood pressure than Iopamidol. All contrast media led to an increase in coronary blood flow of the same extent. ECG changes were most marked following Amidotrizoate and only slight after Iodecol. Decrease of cationic content and increase of osmolality in coronary sinus blood were seen after each compound. Changes were only small after Iodecol and always greater after Amidotrizoate. Moreover, an overproportional decrease of coronary sinus calcium content was seen after Amidotrizoate due to calcium binding. Thus, based on these animal experiments, a further slight reduction of acute cardiac side effects during coronary arteriography could be expected from the use of nonionic dimeric compounds, compared to ionic and currently used nonionic contrast media.