The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of using gadolinium-chelates for digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in patients with contraindications to iodinated contrast material, and to assess the clinically effective concentration of gadolinium (Gd). Gadopentetate dimeglumine and iopromide were used in density measurements. Using 20 mL disposable syringes, serial dilutions of Gd and iopromide with saline were performed. Computed tomography scanning was done and the attenuation of each was recorded as mean Hounsfield units using region of interest analysis. Clinical trials were done in twelve patients with the following types of angiogram or intervention: hemodialysis access, percutaneous biliary drainage, percutaneous nephrostomy, cerebral angiography and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in hepatocellular carcinoma. The density of 1 : 1 diluted Gd was nearly equal to that of 1 : 4 dilution of iopromide, and that of pure Gd was similar to or less than that of 1 : 1 dilution of iopromide. Serum creatinine level was not elevated in any of the patients. Gd is a safe alternative agent in patients with contraindications to iodinated contrast materials. Pure Gd without dilution is the most clinically useful concentration.
Angiography, Digital Subtraction/*methods ; *Contrast Media/adverse effects ; Feasibility Studies ; Gadolinium DTPA/adverse effects/*diagnostic use ; Human ; Safety

Gadopentetate dimeglumine(Gd-DTPA) has low toxicity and good tolerance and it is said that the observed adverse drug reaction of Gd-DTPA is compatible to those of iodinated nonionic contrast media. The overall incidence of adverse drug reaction of Gd-DTPA is even lower than those of iodinated nonionic contrast media. Then, the possibility of potential adverse drug reaction of these contrast media is not fully known and recently, many authors have a growing interest in this point. We have taken 2501 cases of MRI and exccure 1467 cases of Gd-DTPA enhancement scaning(58.7%0 and experienced 12 cases of adverse drug reaction(11 cases: mild reaction. 1 case: severe anaphylactic shock)and the overall incidence of our adverse drug reaction of Gd-DTPA was 0.8%. In conclusion, the adverse drug reaction of Gd-DTPA is not rare and the severe adverse drug reaction of Gd-DTPA may occur. So, the possibility of adverse drug reaction after Gd-DTPA injection should always be kept in mind, especially when the patient has a history of reaction to contrast material, allergy(particularly asthma) and cardiac disease. For the safe use of Gd-DTPA, well trained personnel and nearby emergent care facilities should be available.
Contrast Media ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions* ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

This study was undertaken to compare renal damage, as determined by serum creatinine and degree of apoptosis, caused by iodinated contrast or gadolinium in an acute renal failure (ARF) rat model. Rats were divided into three groups; controls (n=3), a CT contrast medium group (n=9), and an MR contrast medium group (n=9). The CT and MR groups were further subdivided into three groups, namely, low, standard, and high dose subgroups. Renal function was evaluated by determining serum creatinine levels; before ARF, and 48 hr after ARF and contrast administration. Apoptosis was assayed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferasemediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). No significant creatinine level differences were observed between the CT and MR groups (p=0.116). Degrees of apoptosis in the renal cortex and medulla were more severe in the CT contrast medium group than in the control or MR contrast medium group (p<0.05). The study shows that CT contrast medium did not aggravate renal function more so than MR contrast medium in this ARF rat model. However, apoptosis examination in the renal cortex and medulla indicated that CT contrast medium induced more severe apoptosis than MR contrast medium (p<0.05). We conclude that CT contrast medium can be used for renal imaging studies when subjects are well hydrated and preventive medication is administered.
Animals ; Apoptosis/*drug effects ; Contrast Media/adverse effects ; Creatine/*blood ; Female ; Gadolinium DTPA/*adverse effects ; Iohexol/adverse effects/*analogs and derivatives ; Kidney/*drug effects/*pathology ; Kidney Failure, Acute/*blood/pathology/radiography ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to prospectively assess the adverse events and hemodynamic effects associated with an intravenous adenosine infusion in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease and who were undergoing cardiac MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty-eight patients (64 +/- 9 years) received adenosine (140 microg/kg/min) during cardiac MRI. Before and during the administration, the heart rate, systemic blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were monitored using a MRI-compatible system. We documented any signs and symptoms of potential adverse events. RESULTS: In total, 47 out of 168 patients (28%) experienced adverse effects, which were mostly mild or moderate. In 13 patients (8%), the adenosine infusion was discontinued due to intolerable dyspnea or chest pain. No high grade atrioventricular block, bronchospasm or other life-threatening adverse events occurred. The hemodynamic measurements showed a significant increase in the heart rate during adenosine infusion (69.3 +/- 11.7 versus 82.4 +/- 13.0 beats/min, respectively; p < 0.001). A significant but clinically irrelevant increase in oxygen saturation occurred during adenosine infusion (96 +/- 1.9% versus 97 +/- 1.3%, respectively; p < 0.001). The blood pressure did not significantly change during adenosine infusion (systolic: 142.8 +/- 24.0 versus 140.9 +/- 25.7 mmHg; diastolic: 80.2 +/- 12.5 mmHg versus 78.9 +/- 15.6, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study confirms the safety of adenosine infusion during cardiac MRI. A considerable proportion of all patients will experience minor adverse effects and some patients will not tolerate adenosine infusion. However, all adverse events can be successfully managed by a radiologist. The increased heart rate during adenosine infusion highlights the need to individually adjust the settings according to the patient, e.g., the number of slices of myocardial perfusion imaging.
Adenosine/administration & dosage/*adverse effects ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Pressure/drug effects ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Coronary Disease/*diagnosis ; Female ; Gadolinium DTPA/diagnostic use ; Heart Rate/drug effects ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen/blood ; Prospective Studies ; Vasodilator Agents/administration & dosage/*adverse effects

This study describes the first case of biliary peritonitis after radiofrequency ablation diagnosed by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA), a hepatocyte-specific MR imaging contrast agent. The image acquired 300 minutes after the administration of Gd-EOB-DTPA was useful to make a definite diagnosis and to identify the pathway of bile leakage. It is important to decide on the acquisition timing with consideration of the predicted location of bile duct injury.
Aged, 80 and over ; Bile Duct Diseases/*diagnosis/etiology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis/surgery ; Catheter Ablation/*adverse effects ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gadolinium DTPA/*diagnostic use ; Hepatectomy/adverse effects/methods ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis/*surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Male ; Peritonitis/*diagnosis/etiology