Coronary arteriography in canines with calcium-enriched ioxaglate and diatrizoate.

Ioxaglate, diatrizoate, and calcium-enriched solutions of these contrast agents were compared as to their effects on left ventricular pressure, the first derivative of this pressure, left ventricular stroke volume, stroke work, and mean aortic pressure during left coronary arteriography in dogs. Ioxaglate reduced these parameters significantly less than did diatrizoate. The calcium addition ameliorated the toxic effects of both ioxaglate and diatrizoate. There was an initial reduction of stroke work during and following the contrast injections, after which increased stroke work was observed. The calcium ions did not produce further augmentation of this increased stroke work.