New low osmolality water-soluble contrast compounds in selective arteriography of the peripheral limbs. A comparative study.

Metrizamide (Amipaque) and ioxaglate (Hexabrix), both new low osmolality contrast agents, were evaluated in a comparative study of 50 patients with peripheral arterial diseases undergoing in total 118 angiograms. The degree of discomfort caused by the highly selective injection of these compounds and the normal available water-soluble media was estimated. Metrizamide resulted as the optimal contrast medium and Hexabrix is second best. Intra-arterial lidocaine reduced serious discomfort from 70 to 15% in conventional media. None of the evaluated contrast compounds was changing blood flow in this group of patients. But pharmacoangiography with high dosages of tolazoline could provide additional information on vascular pathophysiology.