Abstract
BackgroundNon-ionic radiocontrast media (RCM) is rarely associated with hypersensitivity reactions. Premedication of patients who reacted previously to RCM with systemic corticosteroids and/or antihistamines can help reduce recurrent hypersensitivity reactions. However, premedication is still not prescribed in many cases for various reasons. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of our novel RCM hypersensitivity surveillance and automatic recommending system for premedication.Methods and ResultsHospitalized patients with a history of RCM hypersensitivity were identified in an electronic medical record system that included a mandatory reporting system for past adverse drug reactions. In 2009, a novel automatic prescription system was added that classified index RCM reactions by severity and dispensed appropriate corticosteroid and/or antihistamine pretreatment prior to new RCM exposures. The data from 12 months under the previous system and 12 months under the current system were compared.The two systems had similar overall premedication rates (91% and 95%) but the current system was associated with a significantly higher corticosteroid premedication rate (65% vs. 14%), which significantly reduced the breakthrough reaction rate (6.7% vs. 15.2%). The current system was also associated with increased corticosteroid and antihistamine premedication of patients with a mild index reaction (61% vs. 7%) and a reduction in their breakthrough reaction rate (6% vs. 15%).ConclusionsPremedication with corticosteroid and/or antihistamine, which was increased by our novel automatic prescription system, significantly reduced breakthrough reactions in patients with a history of RCM hypersensitivity.
Highlights
Radiocontrast media (RCM) are highly useful, as indicated by their frequent use in imaging departments all over the world
Premedication with corticosteroid and/or antihistamine, which was increased by our novel automatic prescription system, significantly reduced breakthrough reactions in patients with a history of radiocontrast media (RCM) hypersensitivity
The effectiveness of premedication in terms of lessening the likelihood of RCM hypersensitivity reactions in patients with a history of these reactions remains poorly defined, a recent study from Korea showed that premedication of patients with a history of severe RCM reactions with corticosteroids and H1 antihistamines and/or H2 blockers effectively prevented most RCM hypersensitivity reactions [6]
Summary
Radiocontrast media (RCM) are highly useful, as indicated by their frequent use in imaging departments all over the world. The effectiveness of premedication in terms of lessening the likelihood of RCM hypersensitivity reactions in patients with a history of these reactions remains poorly defined, a recent study from Korea showed that premedication of patients with a history of severe RCM reactions with corticosteroids and H1 antihistamines and/or H2 blockers effectively prevented most RCM hypersensitivity reactions [6]. It remains unclear whether premedication should be used in cases where the previous RCM hypersensitivity reaction was mild. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of our novel RCM hypersensitivity surveillance and automatic recommending system for premedication
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