Effects of intravenous radiographic contrast media on the blood pressure and on factors of the contact activation system in the rat.

Blood pressure (BP), plasma prekallikrein (PK), and the extent of activation of factor XII (XII-ACT) were studied after the intravenous injection into rats of dextran (Macrodex), the ionic radiographic contrast substance iodipamide (Biligrafin), or the non-ionic contrast substance iohexol (Omnipaque). After acetone activation plasma kallikrein was assayed as plasminogen activator, BAEe esterase or S-2302 amidase, and factor XIIa was assayed as kaolin-activated prekallikrein activator. Dextran induced a strong and lasting hypotension, preceded by significant lowerings in PK and XII-ACT. Iodipamide induced a rapid and dose dependent BP fall, no change in plasma PK, but a slightly reduced XII-ACT. Iohexol induced no significant alterations, neither in BP, nor in plasma parameters. Pretreatments of the rats with iodipamide abolished the dextran-induced reductions in PK and XII-ACT, and almost blocked the fall in BP. We conclude that the ionic contrast substance iodipamide is capable of blocking dextran shock in the rat by preventing an activation of the contact activating system in plasma.