Comparative study of two iodinated contrast media containing 20% iodine in lower-limb phlebography: ioxaglate versus a conventional product

Forty-eight patients were examined by bilateral ascending phlebography in a crossover, prospective, randomised, double-blind study. A low-osmolar agent (Hexabrix) (ioxaglate, 200 mg iodine/ml) and a dilute conventional contrast medium (Angiografin) (meglumine diatrizoate) with the same iodine concentration were used for each limb alternately. The adverse reactions and the quality of diagnostic data were recorded: the Student paired-t-test showed statistically that ioxaglate containing 200 mg iodine per ml was better tolerated and that diagnostic information was equally good for the deep and ilio-caval systems, but seemed better with diatrizoate for superficial veins with extensive varicosity. The authors conclude that ioxaglate 200 is advantageous overall in lower-limb phlebography from the standpoints of tolerance, diagnostic data and cost.