Effects of nonionic contrast media (CM) on the components of coagulation and complement systems.

Several nonionic experimental contrast media (CM) were evaluated for their effects on coagulation cascade, platelet aggregation, and the activation of complement pathways. In an in vitro system, most of the contrast media tested showed a mild anticoagulant property by prolonging the clotting times, such as partial thromboplastin time and the thrombin time of pooled normal human plasma. However, aggregation of normal human platelets by adenosine-diphosphate (ADP), collagen, epinephrine, ristocetin, and thrombin was not blocked when the platelet-rich plasma was incubated with these agents. No quantitative or qualitative changes in the complement components C3 or C4 were detected when a mixture of CM and pooled normal human serum was analyzed by radial immunodiffusion, immuno- or crossed-immunoelectrophoresis techniques. These results indicate that nonionic contrast media produce certain transient hematologic changes and should be further tested for their immunologic properties in order to establish their absolute safety in diagnostic procedures.