Sodium-calcium balance and cardiac function with isotonic iodixanol. An experimental study in the isolated rat heart.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Three formulations of the nonionic dimer iodixanol (150/200/300 mg I/mL), made isotonic by the addition of NaCl (70/53/24 mM), were investigated regarding their potential for depressing cardiac contractility during coronary angiography. To maintain a stable cardiac function, the authors sought the requirements for the addition of a balanced amount of calcium (Ca). METHODS: Iodixanol 150, 200, and 300 mg I/mL were applied as a short-lasting bolus in isolated perfused rat hearts in the absence and presence of added Ca. The contractile function was assessed by measurement of changes in left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP). RESULTS: A transient LVDP depression was markedly alleviated by adding 0.2 to 0.4 mM Ca and almost abolished by 0.4 to 0.9 mM. Ca higher than 0.9 mM led to unstable hearts and too-extensive Ca loading. CONCLUSIONS: Caution should be used when adding Ca to iodixanol, particularly with sodium-calcium (Na-Ca) relationships. Appropriate Ca concentrations are probably 0.6 mM for iodixanol (150 mg I/mL); 0.4 to 0.6 mM for iodixanol (200 mg I/mL; and 0.4 mM for iodixanol (300 mg I/mL).