Iso-osmolar agent showshigher renal failure rate

Radiologists hoped the introduction of isoosmolar contrast media would eliminate severe adverse reactions to x-ray contrast. Alas, it was not to be. A large retrospective Swedish study identified a significantly higher rate of renal failure among patients administered iso-osmolar iodixanol (Visipaque) compared with patients who received low-osmolar ioxaglate (Hexabrix).

Dr. Per Liss and colleagues at the University of Uppsala presented their evaluation of 23,224 patients at the 2008 RSNA meeting. They found that 1.7% of patients who received iodixanol developed primary or secondary renal failure within 12 months of administration. The 12-month renal failure rate for patients who received ioxaglate was 0.8%.