Effect of Nonionic Iodinated Contrast Media on Blood Pressure during Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography of Abdomen Examination: A Cross-sectional Study

A BSTRACT Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) scan has high sensitivity and specificity for numerous conditions. The images produced by a CT scanner can be enhanced using iodinated contrast media. Significant hemodynamic changes are seen with rapid intravenous contrast media injection. The average acceptable blood pressure (BP) value is 120/80 mmHg. Many studies have related hypertensive crises with high-osmolar contrast media, whereas its relation with low-osmolar contrast media is still unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effect of nonionic iodinated contrast media on BP during contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) of the abdomen. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2022 to August 2023. A total of 146 subjects (73 males and 73 females were included in the study). Statistical analysis of data was done using SPSS 23.0. A comparison of systolic BP and diastolic BP across the three periods was done using repeated measures of ANOVA. A between-group comparison was performed by unpaired t -test. The level of significance was set as 5%. All subjects underwent a CECT abdomen, including a plain, arterial, and venous phase. A bolus of 80 mL of Ultravist was administered. BP was measured before the contrast injection (baseline value), between the arterial and venous phases, and 3 min after the contrast injection. Results: Injection of nonionic contrast media caused a decrease in BP among subjects. The mean systolic BP readings before contrast injection in males and females were 127.5 ± 8 mmHg and 122.8 ± 8.4 mmHg, respectively. The mean diastolic BP before contrast injection was 79.2 ± 6.4 and 76 ± 6.4 mmHg among males and females, respectively. For systolic, these values decreased to 123 ± 10.3 mmHg in males and in females to 115 ± 14.6 mmHg when measured between arterial and venous phases. Similarly, for diastolic BP, the mean values recorded between the arterial-venous phase reduced to 76.7 ± 9.3 mmHg and 72.3 ± 10 mmHg, respectively. The BP readings, however, increased near baseline value when measured 3 min after the injection. The mean systolic BP measured 126.1 ± 8.5 mmHg and 124.9 ± 11.8 mmHg for males and females at 3 min after injection. Similarly, the mean diastolic BP values taken after 3 min of contrast injection were 78.3 ± 6.5 mmHg and 76.2 ± 7 mmHg in males and females, respectively, P < 0.001. BP in both male and female groups was affected similarly. Conclusion: Bolus administration of 80 mL of Ultravist reduced BP. This reduction was short-term and got back to normal within a few minutes. The contrast media similarly affected both genders. The BP changes had no clinical significance.