The effects of non-ionic contrast medium on the hemorheology in vitro and in vivo

Contrast media are the commonly used agents in radiology. However, because of their characteristics of high osmolality, high viscosity, and chemical toxicity, the administrations of contrast media have been shown to cause adverse effects especially on hemorheology in short time course. The present study is to find the effects of a non-ionic contrast medium, iopromide, on the hemorheology in long time course both in vitro and in vivo. For in vitro treatment, human peripheral blood samples were incubated with contrast medium at 37°C for 0.5, 1 and 2 h. For in vivo study, about 15 ml of contrast medium was injected into rabbits and blood samples were collected at 0.5, 2, 6, and 24 h after the bolus injection. Hemorheological parameters were examined. Results showed that hematocrit adjusted whole blood viscosity increased significantly at 1 h after in vitro treatment of contrast medium, while it decreased at 0.5 h and remained low till 6 h after bolus injection. Ektacytometer showed that erythrocyte deformability decreased to the lowest level at 2 h in vitro and it dropped at 0.5 h and resumed to normal after 2 h in vivo. Erythrocyte small deformation indices were reduced by contrast medium in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Erythrocyte orientation index was also reduced in in vivo study. Erythrocyte electrophoresis rates at all time points decreased but osmotic fragility did not change in both studies. These impaired hemorheological parameters may disturb the microcirculation and cause adverse effects in patients with kidney diseases.