[The pharmaco-kinetics of angiographic contrast media with special reference to the extravascular space. Experimental studies on dogs. III. Is there an entero-hepatic circulation of angiographic contrast media? A discussion summarising the results of the entire studies (author's transl)].

The presence of an entero hepatic circulation of angiographic contrast media has been demonstrated, but quantitatively it is of little importance. About 1/2% of the contrast reaching the gut in the bile is reabsorbed and after being carried through the portal vein to the liver is re-excreted in the bile. Most of the contrastcontaining bile reaching the small bowel is excreted in the faeces; nearly all of the contrast absorbed from the colon is carried through the portal vein to the liver and after reaching the circulation is excreted by the kidneys.