Single bolus injection or slow infusion for intravenous cholangiography? - Measurement of iodipamide (Biligrafin) excretion using a rhesus monkey model

Abstract

The excretion of iodipamide in the bile of the rhesus monkey was measured following both intravenous injection and intravenous infusion of iodipamide in either 20 per cent dextrose or normal saline. The monkey model used allowed measurements of both volume and composition of bile whilst maintaining an "intact" enterohepatic circulation. There was a statistically significant increase in concentration of iodipamide in the bile with the infusion technique due to a reduction in the choloretic effect of the iodipamide when given by slow intravenous infusion. Furthermore, the incidence of vomiting dropped from 90 per cent following simple intravenous injection to only 10 per cent with the infusion technique. There was no difference in the concentration of iodipamide in the bile between 20 per cent dextrose or normal saline as the transport medium. It is concluded that intravenous cholangiography is best performed by an infusion technique, using an isotonic transport medium.