Ventricular fibrillation from diatrizoate with and without chelating agents

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Toxicology
• Radiology

Background:

• Coronary angiography uses contrast media to visualize heart arteries.
• The toxicity of different contrast agents is a critical concern for patient safety.
• Renografin and Hypaque are commonly used iodinated contrast media.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the toxicity of Renografin 76% and Hypaque 76% in a canine model.
• To investigate the role of chelating agents in contrast-induced cardiotoxicity.

Main Methods:

• Selective injection of Renografin 76% and Hypaque 76% into the right coronary artery of dogs.
• Monitoring for adverse cardiac events, specifically ventricular fibrillation.

Main Results:

• Ventricular fibrillation occurred significantly more frequently with Renografin 76% administration.
• Hypaque 76%, lacking sodium citrate, showed a lower incidence of ventricular fibrillation.

Conclusions:

• The presence of specific chelating agents (sodium citrate, disodium edetate) in Renografin 76% is associated with increased cardiotoxicity.
• Chelating agents may contribute to the toxicity observed during coronary angiography procedures.