Iodine absorption in patients undergoing ERCP compared with coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND: Systemic absorption of iodinated contrast material occurs during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the clinical significance of which has not yet been determined. METHODS: Urinary iodine excretion was measured before and after coronary angiography (n = 20) and ERCP (n = 12). Thyroid hormone levels were determined before iodine load and after 6 and 24 weeks. RESULTS: Before coronary angiography, iodine excretion was 101 +/- 38.3 micromol/mol creatinine and increased to 865. 10(5) +/- 721. 10(5) micromol/mol on the next day (p