Effects of Iodinated Contrast Media on Erythrocytes

Abstract

A study was performed with the scanning electron microscope in order to describe the morphological changes induced in erythrocytes in vitro by a series of iodinated radiopaque compounds designed for intravascular administration. Acetrizoic acid and iodopyracet turn all the red blood cells into echinocytes, even in conditions of equiosmolarity. In the same experimental conditions, diatrizoic acid, iodamide, and iothalamic acid produce only a flattening of red blood cells and the appearance of roundish prominences on their margins; in conditions of hyperosmolarity, the same alterations are associated with a low percentage of mildly echinocytic forms. Among the contrast media designed for cholangiography, iodoxamic acid produces appreciably less conspicuous alterations than do iodipamide and ioglycamic acid. The observed deformations occur immediately and are completely reversible by washing the erythrocytcs with physiologic saline solution. These morphological changes cannot be attributed to osmotic phenomena and to the salt used (sodium salt of meglumine salt); they depend directly upon the structure of the iodinated organic anion