Essay On Contrast Media

1859 Words4 Pages

Numerous forms of intravascular contrast media have been used to improve medical imaging. Their value has long been accepted, as confirmed by their common daily use in radiology departments worldwide. However, like all pharmaceuticals, these agents are poisons and aren’t completely devoid of risk (American College of Radiology, 2013). The extent of how safe contrast media are depends on the composition. There are various types of contrast which vary in composition. Due to their chemical properties, contrast media usually have a greater osmolality and are thicker (viscosity) than blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Therefore, osmolality and viscosity affect the safety of the contrast medium as they play a part in the development of contrast reactions. Additionally, a variety of the adverse effects attributed to intravascular iodinated contrast agents seem to be related to the osmolality. This includes allergic reactions, fluid shifts, physiologic side effects, the heat sensation and any complications following contrast medium extravasation (Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology, 2008). It has been noted that as the osmolality increases, the risk of having an adverse reaction becomes more likely due to the high toxicity of the contrast agent. The toxicity of the contrast tends to decrease as the osmolality approaches that of blood serum, as seen in a non-ionic contrast e.g Omnipaque (ACR, 2013). Therefore, the lower the osmolality, the safer the contrast medium. Also, as Chapman and Nakielny state, ‘The low and iso-osmolar contrast media are 5-10 times safer than high osmolality contrast media’. Similarly, there is notable variation in the osmolality of contrast media and thus, how safe they are for the patient, depending on their ion... ... middle of paper ... ...f contrast (ACR, 2012). It is also essential that the radiographer performs a drug pre-check before the administration of the contrast. This involves checking the name, concentration, dose given, expiry date, batch number, colour/appearance and the seal on the bottle. If these aspects aren’t checked correctly, it could affect the safety of the contrast media. In conclusion, it is clear that intravascular contrast media are indispensable in the practice of radiology. Even though contrast media is used widely with few side effects, reactions can occur, just as they do with every pharmaceutical product. However, these reactions are rare so the benefit that contrast has on examinations definitely outweighs the risk. Thus, intravascular contrast media is safe to use in most patients and shouldn’t be disregarded because a limited number of patients have reactions to it.

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