Ionic and non-ionic contrast media interaction with anticoagulant drugs.

Normal and pathologic human plasmas were incubated with radiographic contrast media, heparin, Dextran-40 and saline. Renografin-60 produced a strong anticoagulant effect and the clotting times were significantly prolonged; the addition of heparin resulted in greatly elevated thrombin time. No such prolongation was noted with Dextran-40. P-297, ioxaglic and ioxithalamic acids also showed similar anticoagulant properties. When dogs were injected with contrast media and heparin, the overall anticoagulant effect lasted for more than 6 hours, while contrast media or heparin effect remained for a short period of time. Clinical significance of contrast media interactions with anticoagulant drugs is discussed.