Key Properties of Iodinated Contrast Agents That Influence Their Behavior, Efficiency, and Adverse Reaction Risk
Contrast agent | Iodine concentration (mg/mL) | Osmolality (mOsm/kg water) | Viscosity (mPa/s) (37°C) |
Ionic monomer (HOCM) | Up to 400 | 1,400–2,100 | |
Ionic dimer (HOCM) | 320 | 600 | |
Nonionic monomer (LOCM) | Up to 350 | 600–800 | |
Nonionic dimer (IOCM) | 320 | 290 | |
Human serum | 3.2–4 | 290 | 1.5–2.0 |
Ionic monomers | |||
Amidotrizoic acid | 146 | 1,690 | 8.5 |
Amidotrizoate-meg | 350 | 1,530 | 7.5 |
Ioxitalaminic acid | 2,130 | ||
Nonionic monomers | |||
Iohexol | 240, 300, 350 | 500, 690, 880 | 3.3, 6.1, 10.6 |
Iopamidol | 200, 300, 370 | 413, 616, 796 | 2.0, 4.7, 8.6 |
Ioxilan | 350 | 695 | 4.6 |
Iopromide | 370 | 780 | 9.5 |
Ioversol | 320 | 702 | 5.8 |
Iomeprol | 350 | 618 | 7.5 |
Iobitridol | 350 | 915 | 10.0 |
Ionic dimers ioxaglate | 320 | 580 | 7.5 |
Nonionic dimers | |||
Iodixanol | 320 | 290 | 11.4 |
Iotrolan | 300 | 320 | 8.1 |
Optimizing key properties of intravenous CT contrast agents has resulted in evolution to those that are easier to use, with lower intravenous toxicity and fewer adverse effects (frequency and severity) (6,8,12).