Iodixanol, a new isosmotic nonionic contrast agent compared with iohexol in cardiac angiography

Iodixanol, a new ratio 6 nonionic iodinated contrast agent with an osmolality equal to serum, was compared with iohexol in a randomized, double-blind, parallel study. Two hundred patients undergoing elective diagnostic cardiac angiography were randomized to iodixanol (n = 101) or iohexol (n = 99). There were no differences noted between the 2 agents in the mean changes in systolic or diastolic blood pressure or heart rate during or immediately after any angiography. However, significantly more patients had a decrease in diastolic blood pressure of > 20 mm Hg during left coronary angiography with iodixanol. The only significant differences in any electrophysiologic parameter were slightly more PR prolongation during left coronary angiography with iodixanol and more ST-segment depression with iohexol during coronary angiography. Neither was clinically significant. Injection-associated discomfort occurred with both agents, but more patients experienced moderate to severe discomfort with iohexol (52%) than with iodixanol (17%) (p < 0.001). Only 1 potentially serious adverse event, ventricular fibrillation with iohexol, was considered related to contrast, and there were no differences noted between the agents. Overall, angiographic quality was equal with all angiograms being assessed as good or excellent in both groups (p = 0.885). In this low-risk population undergoing cardiac angiography, iodixanol is safe and effective without clinically important differences from iohexol. Additional studies in patients at high risk for complications should help further define the role of iodixanol in cardiac angiography.