Angiocardiography with metrizamide in the neonate and infant

The non-ionic contrast medium metrizamide was compared with a routine ionic medium (sodium methylglucamine diatrizoate) in a series of 16 patients with congenital heart disease, all under 11 kg body weight, undergoing angiocardiography. Despite a higher viscosity, metrizamide yielded images of equal quality to those of the ionic medium, and was clinically better tolerated. Metrizamide produced a significantly lesser effect on plasma osmolality, a parameter closely related to contrast medium toxicity. Other biochemical parameters showed insignificant changes. Metrizamide is therefore a more suitable contrast medium for angiocardiography and despite its cost should be considered for patients with serious congenital heart disease who are in poor clinical condition. (author)