ECG changes during cerebral angiography; a comparison of low osmolality contrast media.

334 electrocardiographic recordings obtained from 109 patient who underwent cerebral angiography with low osmolality contrast media (CM) were analysed. CM used in this study included meglumine sodium ioxaglate, iopamidol, and iohexol. A tachycardial effect greater than 10% was seen in 8.3% of recordings, while a bradycardial effect greater than 10% was seen in 11.1%. Assessment was based on the type of CM used, age of the patients, usage of atropine sulfate as premedication, and the vessel injected. Patients who were under 19 years of age, and unpremedicated had a significantly higher incidence of bradycardia. On the other hand, there was no significant difference of the incidence of electrocardiographic abnormality between the three CM, and between two injected vessel groups. We have also analysed the incidence of generalized adverse effect. There was no serious complication, however, 11.9% of the patients who underwent cerebral angiography with ioxaglate developed urticaria and this was significantly higher incidence than in the other two CM groups.