Coronary Angiography with Diatrizoate and Metrizamide

Abstract

The non-ionic contrast medium metrizamide produced a smaller coronary flow increase than the ionic medium diatrizoate after injection into the main left coronary artery in dogs and had also a shorter transit time through the coronary vessels. The coronary veins were better filled with metrizamide. The reduced coronary flow effects of metrizamide compared to ionic contrast medium and the improved venous filling makes metrizamide a favorable contrast material for use in coronary angiography.

Contrast agents in angiocardiography.

“…Metrizamide (low osmolality) causes a smaller increase in coronary flow than diatrizoate.23 Interestingly, the contrast washout time may, however, be faster with metrizamide, perhaps reflecting less red cell rigidification. 22 This results in venous phase films of better quality. The role of cholinesterase inhibition7 in the response of the coronary circulation has not been evaluated.…”

“…In the dog the severity of the depressant effects has been substantially reduced with the low osmolality agents when compared with conventional hyperosmolar agents,'8 22 and other comparative studies have shown differences in the magnitude of the depressant effects produced even by different commercial preparations of the conventional agents. 23 The part played by simple myocardial oxygen deprivation during coronary angiography appears to be unimportant.…”