Hypersensitivity
With the use of the drug Ultravist®, anaphylactoid reactions / hypersensitivity reactions (see section "Side effect") or other manifestations of idiosyncrasy from the side of the cardiovascular, respiratory system and skin can be observed. The severity of allergic reactions can be from mild to severe, including the development of shock. Most reactions occur within 30 minutes after the introduction of radiopaque (see section "Side effect"). However, deferred reactions (from hours to days) may develop.
The risk of developing hypersensitivity reactions increases in the following cases:
- in the presence of previously existing reactions to iodine-containing radiopaque agents;
- if there is an anamnesis of bronchial asthma or other allergic diseases.
Patients with a known hypersensitivity to Ultravist® or any of its components or with a previous hypersensitivity reaction to some other iodine-containing radiopaque agent have an increased risk of developing hypersensitivity reactions (including severe).
Nevertheless, such reactions are rare and unpredictable.
It should be borne in mind that patients taking beta-blockers may be resistant to the treatment of hypersensitivity reactions with drugs that have a beta-adrenergic effect.
In cases of development of severe hypersensitivity reactions, the consequences can be more serious and even lead to a fatal outcome.
In connection with the possibility of developing severe hypersensitivity reactions after the administration of the radiopaque means after the end of the procedure, it is necessary to observe the patient's condition.
In all cases, it is necessary to be prepared, if necessary, to provide emergency care to the patient.
It is recommended to consider premedication of glucocorticosteroids in patients with bronchialasthma or other allergic diseases.
Thyroid dysfunction
Particular care should be taken to weigh the risk / benefit ratio in patients with established or suspected hyperthyroidism, since iodine-containing radiopaque agents may cause them to have hyperthyroidism or a thyrotoxic crisis. Consideration should be given to the need to evaluate the function of the thyroid gland prior to the administration of Ultravist® and / or to prescribe thyreostatic therapy for prophylactic purposes in patients with established or suspected hyperthyroidism.
In newborns, especially premature infants who received the Ultravist® drug either through the mother during pregnancy or after childbirth, it is recommended to monitor the thyroid function, since exposure to excessive amounts of iodine can cause hypothyroidism, which may require treatment.
Diseases of the central nervous system
Patients with CNS diseases have an increased risk of neurological complications due to the administration of Ultravist®. Neurological complications develop more often when carrying out cerebral angiography and related procedures.
Caution should be exercised in situations where there may be a lowered convulsive threshold, such as having a history of seizures and the concomitant use of certain medications.
Factors that increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, facilitate the penetration of radiopaque in the brain tissue, which can cause reactions from the CNS.
Hydration
Before and after intravascular or intrathecal administration of Ultravist®, adequate hydration should be provided to minimize the risk of contrast-induced nephrotoxicity. This is of particular importance for patients with multiple myeloma, diabetes, polyuria, oliguria, hyperuricemia, as well as for newborns, infants, young children, and elderly patients.
Fear
If there is a feeling of excitement, anxiety and pain, the risk of developing CPD or the intensity of these reactions caused by the radiopaque means may increase. Such patients require more careful observation. In some cases, they may need medication to reduce anxiety.
Conducting a preliminary test
The use of a small amount of radiopaque for carrying out the sensitivity test is not recommended, since it has no prognostic significance. Moreover, carrying out such testing alone can lead to serious and even fatal hypersensitivity reactions.
Renal damage
Nephrotoxicity caused by radiopaque means, which is a transient renal dysfunction, may occur after intravascular injection of the Ultravist® preparation. In rare cases, acute renal failure may develop.
Risk factors include, for example:
- previous renal failure;
- dehydration;
- diabetes;
- multiple myeloma / paraproteinaemia;
- repeated and / or large doses of Ultravist®.
It is necessary to provide adequate hydration in all patients with the administration of Ultravist®. Patients on dialysis may be given the Ultravist® drug for diagnostic purposes, since the iodine-containing radiopaque can be removed from the body by dialysis.
Cardiovascular diseases
In patients with severe heart disease or severe coronary artery disease, the risk of clinically significant changes in hemodynamics and arrhythmia is increased.
Intravascular injection of radiocontrast can cause pulmonary edema in patients with heart failure.
Pheochromocytoma
In patients with pheochromocytoma, there is a risk of developing a hypertensive crisis.
Myasthenia gravis
The introduction of iodine-containing radiopaque means may increase the severity of symptoms of myasthenia gravis gravis.
Thrombogenicity
One of the properties of nonionic radiopaque means is their low ability to influence the normal physiological functions of the body. That is why non-ion radiopaque agents have less anticoagulant activity in vitro, than ionic ones. A number of factors, in addition to the properties of the radiopaque agent itself, such as the duration of the study, the number of injections, the properties of the catheter and the syringe, the state of the disease and the treatment being administered, can influence the development of thromboembolism. Therefore, during the catheterization of the vessel it is necessary to take into account these factors and pay special attention to the performance of the technique of angiography,and also wash the catheter with 0.9% sodium chloride solution (if necessary with the addition of heparin) and minimize the timing of this procedure in order to minimize the risk of thrombosis and embolism.
Intrathecal administration
Care should be taken for patients with a history of seizures, since they have a higher risk of seizures due to the administration of the Ultravist® preparation to the brain membranes. It is necessary to have ready means for the treatment of convulsions.
Most adverse reactions after myelography are developed within a few hours after the administration of radiopaque. During this period it is recommended to monitor the patient's condition.
Myelography
The more the patient moves or strains his muscles after the injection of the radiopaque, the sooner it is mixed with the biological fluids of other areas that are not relevant to the area under examination. As a result, the contrast density decreases faster than usual.
To avoid discomfort caused by loss of cerebrospinal fluid, the patient needs to rest for about 18 hours. During this period, it is necessary to monitor the possibility of developing adverse reactions.Patients with a reduced threshold of convulsive activity should be under particularly careful supervision for several hours.
Preheating the radiopaque preparation before use
An X-ray contrast agent heated to the body temperature prior to administration is better tolerated and easier to administer due to a decrease in the viscosity of the solution.