Iopiperidol: nonionic iodinated contrast medium with promising anticoagulant and antiplatelet properties.

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the anticoagulant and antiplatelet characteristics of iopiperidol, a nonionic, triiodinated contrast agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anticoagulant effects of iopiperidol were assessed both in vitro and in vivo after single or repeated intravenous administrations to rats. To this aim, results of prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, and fibrinogen tests were evaluated. To define better the mechanism of action of iopiperidol and of the contrast media used for comparison, in vitro tests to study the effects on thrombin activity and on thrombin generation were performed. In addition, the effect of iopiperidol was studied on adenosine diphosphate- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation both in vitro and in vivo after single or repeated intravenous administrations in the rat. RESULTS: In vitro, iopiperidol showed anticoagulant properties similar or superior to those of the ionic ioxaglate. Iopiperidol also inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation statistically significantly more than iodixanol and ioxaglate (P < .05). In vivo, no significant differences between iopiperidol and ioxaglate were observed after single or repeated administrations. CONCLUSION: The in vitro anticoagulant effect of iopiperidol is similar or even superior to that of ioxaglate; the in vivo effect is similar to that of reference nonionic contrast media.