Iopamidol: a new contrast medium in coronary angiography: Comparison, on electrophysiological changes in man, with a commonly used contrast medium

In 30 patients undergoing coronary angiography the effects oflopamidol on sinus node activity, atrioventricular and intraventricularconduction were evaluated using His Bundle recordings, and comparedto the effects produced by Diathzoate. Diatrizoate resulted in an increase in sinus cycle length andprolonged AV nodal conduction, resulting in second degree AV block in two patients, lopamidol had significantly less effecton sinus cycle (P<0.01) and AV nodal conduction (P<0.01).Neither contrast media affected intraventricular conduction.No difference was noted in the imaging power of the two contrastmedia. It is suggested that non-ionic, low osmotic contrast media suchas lopamidol will result in increased patient safety duringcoronary angiography without loss of imaging power.