Effect of contrast media on femoral blood flow. Comparison between non-ionic and ionic monomeric and monoacidic dimeric contrast media in the dog.

Injections of non-ionic monomeric (metrizamide, C29 and iohexol) and monoacidic dimeric (ioxaglate) contrast media into the femoral artery of dogs caused significantly less increase in the rate of femoral blood flow than the more hypertonic ionic monomeric compound metrizoate at equivalent iodine concentrations. The effect of metrizoate was similar to that of equiosmolal solutions of sodium chloride. Sodium chloride in concentrations equiosmolal with the non-ionic monomers and monoacidic dimer caused less changes in blood flow than these contrast media, but the changes in blood were equal to those of isotonic sodium chloride.