Hemodynamic effects of bolus injection of gadodiamide injection and gadopentetate dimeglumine as contrast media at MR imaging in rats.

The trend to administer contrast agents for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging by rapid injection and to use higher doses necessitates additional safety assessments with regard to potential hemodynamic effects. The current study was designed to evaluate the hemodynamic effects or rapid injection of increasing doses of gadodiamide injection (gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid bismethylamide) and gadopentetate dimeglumine. Each animal received incremental doses (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mmol/kg) of either contrast agent via the left jugular vein as a rapid bolus (1-2 seconds). Gadodiamide injection caused no hemodynamic alterations; however, gadopentetate dimeglumine caused dose-dependent cardiodepressive effects. At a dose of 0.5 mmol/kg, gadopentetate dimeglumine transiently decreased left ventricular end-systolic pressure by 25%, systolic arterial pressure by 34%, and positive peak differential quotient of pressure change against time by 43% of preinjection values. All hemodynamic parameters returned to baseline in the first 3-5 minutes.