Late adverse reactions to non-ionic contrast media: a cohort analytic study

Abstract

In this cohort study early, intermediate and late reactions after intravenous injection of non-ionic contrast media were evaluated and compared with the nature and incidence of complaints stated by a control group investigated without contrast media. Study A was conducted by means of a questionnaire. In study B a physician interviewed a different group of patients. Early adverse reactions (day 1) occurred in 11.4% of patients to whom contrast (CM) media had previously been administered compared with 6.1% of patients who had not received a CM injection (study A). Late adverse reactions (up to day 7) were observed in 39.1% and 21.1% of the patients respectively. The incidence was 7.0% versus 0.9% on day 1 for the symptom “increased diuresis”. Between days 4 and 7, 4.8% and 2.6% of the patients respectively had this symptom, which is interpreted as an impairment of renal function. In study B the incidence of early adverse reactions was 3% and 1.5% respectively between days 2 and 3 (CM group). The authors conclude that more than half of the adverse reactions after (non-ionic) contrast media are due to the underlying disease and that a (clinically latent) impairment of renal function can be assumed.