Clinical experience with ioxaglate (Hexabrix) in selective coronary arteriography.

This prospective nonrandomized study was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of, as well as patient tolerance for, a new low osmolality contrast medium, ioxaglate (Hexabrix), in 90 adult patients of both sexes who were referred to our cardiac catheterization laboratory for angiocardiography including selective coronary arteriography. Ioxaglate did not cause any major adverse effects; side effects were rare and mild. Hemodynamic changes were minimal, even in patients with severe coronary artery disease, and no arrhythmias were seen. The radiographic quality of angiograms was scored as good to excellent for each examination, and was equal to that of films performed using a conventional contrast medium. Ioxaglate may be the contrast medium of choice for angiocardiography, especially in patients at high risk, i.e., those with severe coronary artery disease or severe left ventricular dysfunction.