Intravenous digital subtraction angiography with iohexol.

Iohexol is a nonionic water-soluble iodinated contrast medium with chemical and physical properties similar to those of metrizamide. A randomized double-blind study was performed in 40 patients undergoing intravenous digital subtraction angiography for suspected carotid and vertebral disease to compare the radiographic imaging quality and side effects of iohexol with those of Renografin-76 (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium). The use of iohexol yielded a higher percentage of "excellent" images with a lesser incidence of image degradation due to swallowing and motion. Iohexol was also associated with milder and less frequent patient discomfort. No clinically significant changes in laboratory data parameters were observed with either contrast medium.