Elimination of low-osmolality contrast media by hemodialysis

Purpose: To compare the dialyzability and safety of 2 types of low-osmolality contrast media administered to end-stage renal failure patients maintained on regular hemodialysis. Material and Methods: Of 44 CT examinations, iohexol was used in 22 and ioxaglate in the other 22. Adverse reactions and hemodynamic changes were recorded. Thirty minutes after the beginning of CT investigation, hemodialysis was commenced. Elimination rate and clearance of the contrast media were measured as indices of their dialyzability. Results: After 4 hours of hemodialysis, 78.4+/-6.5% of iohexol and 72.4+/-6.0% ioxaglate were eliminated. Clearance of iohexol was higher than that of ioxaglate at all sampling times. No severe hemodynamic change nor adverse reaction were observed. Minor reactions were more frequently observed in the ioxaglate group. Conclusion: Iohexol, a nonionic monomeric contrast medium, is more advantageous for hemodialysis patients than ioxaglate, an ionic dimeric contrast medium.