Does low-sodium contrast medium increase the incidence of ventricular fibrillation during selective coronary arteriography in a canine model?
Low-sodium contrast media significantly increase the risk of ventricular fibrillation during coronary arteriography, suggesting sodium levels should be kept near normal serum levels.
A canine model was used to investigate the recent increased incidence of ventricular fibrillation associated with the use of a new low-sodium preparation Renografin 76% during selective coronary arteriography. A marked increase of ventricular fibrillation was noted from two different contrast agents when total sodium content was significantly below normal serum levels. Ventricular fibrillation was not preceded by alterations in normal sinus activity, and it was not related to other parameter changes of contrast toxicity (EKG deflections, atrial or aortic pressure change). Rather than below, an optimum sodium level appears to be near normal serum levels.
Paulin et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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