[Electron-beam tomographic imaging of the coronary arteries: an experimental comparison between monomeric and dimeric x-ray contrast media]. / Elektronenstrahltomographische Darstellung der Koronararterien: Experimenteller Vergleich zwischen einem monomeren und einem dimeren Röntgenkontrastmittel.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Comparison of a monomeric and a dimeric radiographic contrast medium in the visualisation of the coronary arteries via electron beam tomography (EBT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a total of 6 Göttingen minipigs the heart was examined by EBT (40 sections, ECG-triggering, 1.5 mm section thickness, 100 ms acquisition time) after injection of both iopamidol (monomer, 370 mg l/ml) and iotrolan (dimer, 320 mg l/ml) at a dose of 740 mg l/kg. Injection rate and scan delay were adjusted to heart rate and circulation time. RESULTS: The intravascular increase in density after intravenous injection of iotrolan was significantly higher and longer than after injection of iopamidol (> 300 HE 28 +/- 4 versus 17 +/- 5 cardiac cycles; p < 0.05). Iotrolan attained a higher score in the visualisation of the coronary arteries in three-dimensional surface reconstructions (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The dimeric contrast medium iotrolan proved superior to the monomeric agent iopamidol for visualisation of the coronary arteries via EBT.