Preclinical evaluation of iotrolan as a contrast medium for angiography and urography]

Efficacy and tolerability of iotrolan, a nonionic isotonic dimer, as a contrast medium for angiography and urography were investigated in animals. In the arteriography of rabbit femur, the efficacy of iotrolan 280 mgI/ml was as good as iopamidol 300 mgI/ml and better than meglumine diatrizoate 306 mgI/ml. In rat urography, the efficacy of iotrolan 280 mgI/ml was better than both iopamidol 370 mgI/ml and iohexol 350 mgI/ml. Vascular pain was less with iotrolan 280 mgI/ml than with iohexol 300 mgI/ml in rats. Effect of iotrolan on the pulmo-cardiovascular parameters, arterial pO2, hematocrit and plasma osmolality was less than iopamidol and diatrizoate in rabbits. Iotrolan induced no renal dysfunction and diuresis where iopamidol induced diuresis in rats. Effect of iotrolan on the blood coagulation was similar to nonionic monomers and less than diatrizoate in rabbits. Because of its isotonicity, iotrolan induced little water shift in the blood vessel and urinary tract, which would result in good efficacy and tolerability. These results suggest that iotrolan is superior to ionic and nonionic monomers for angiography and urography.