Systemic, pulmonary and renal haemodynamic effects of large intravenous doses of high and low osmolar contrast media. An investigation in the pig of ratio 1.5 and ratio 3 media.

The central, peripheral and renal haemodynamic effects of intravenous infusion (1 ml/s) of large doses (4 ml/kg body weight) of non-ionic (iohexol) and ionic (metrizoate and ioxaglate) contrast media were studied in 24 anaesthetized pigs. All contrast media showed marked haemodynamic effects with an increase of mean right atrial pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, mean pulmonary occlusion pressure, cardiac output and stroke volume. The response of the pulmonary circulation to contrast media was a fall rather than a rise in pulmonary vascular resistance. No significant changes were detected in the renal circulation after infusion of contrast media.