Incidence and risk factors of adverse reactions to ioxithalamate in patients with computed tomography

A prospective study was conducted from February 1989 to January 1991, on 5,000 consecutive patients, undergoing CT studies of the head and brain, to evaluate the adverse reactions to sodium meglumine ioxithalamate, a high-osmolar contrast medium (HOCM). The overall incidence of moderate or severe reactions was 2.8%. Severe reactions occurred in 0.06% and moderate reactions in 2.74% of the contrast media examinations. It is interesting to note that the risk of adverse reactions was multiplied by 7.6 in patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). No deaths occured. It is concluded that the incidence of adverse reactions to Ioxithalamate is low. Although the occurrence of adverse reactions is lower with low osmolar contrast media (LOCM), the routine use of HOCM appears justified by the best cost-efficacy ratio in low-risk patients.