[Experimental study on vascular permeability and hemodynamics of nonionic dimeric contrast media (Iotrolan): a...

The difference of vascular permeability and hemodynamics between Iotrolan and Iopamidol was experimentally studied on dynamic CT and angiography. A hemodialyzer with 60 A pores were applied as a phantom of a target organ with capillaries and extravascular space. Dynamic CT scans and DSA of the phantom were performed with injection of each contrast medium and time-density curves obtained from several regions of interest were compared. The dynamic CT scans performed at 40 seconds after the completion of injection, showed that Iopamidol was mostly distributed at the site of inlet, while Iotrolan was mostly at the center of the phantom. Time-density curves on DSA with Iotrolan revealed lower and shorter peak density and time than did Iopamidol. In conclusion, Iotrolan has lower permeability than that of Iopamidol because of its larger molecular size. Iotrolan has slower flow through catheters and capillaries than that of Iopamidol because of its higher viscosity. One should be aware the difference between the two contrast media and be careful to the analysis of time-density curves of dynamic CT and DSA.