indication

Iodixanol is a contrast agent during coronary angiography.

pharmacology

Iodixanol is a contrast agent commonly used during coronary angiography, particularly in individuals with renal dysfunction, as it is believed to be less toxic to the kidneys than most other intravascular contrast agents. It is an iso-osmolar contrast agent, with an osmolality of 290 mOsm/kg H20, the same as blood.

mechanism of action

Organic iodine compounds attenuate x-rays as they pass through the body, thereby allowing the body structures containing iodine to be delineated in contrast to those structures that do not contain iodine. The degree of opacity produced by these compounds is directly proportional to the total amount (concentration and volume) of the iodinated contrast agent in the path of the x-rays. After intravascular administration, iodixanol makes opaque those internal structures in its path of flow, allowing their visualization until significant hemodilution and elimination occur.

toxicity

Non-ionic radiocontrast agents like iodixanol are cytotoxic to renal cells. The toxic effects include apoptosis, cellular energy failure, disruption of calcium homeostasis, and disturbance of tubular cell polarity, and are thought to be linked to oxidative stress.

biotransformation

Excreted unchanged

half life

2.1 hours. In patients with significantly impaired renal function (mean creatinine clearance rate, 9.91 [± 3.58] mL per minute), the plasma half-life is increased to 23 hours.

route of elimination

In adults, approximately 97% of the injected dose of iodixanol is excreted unchanged in urine within 24 hours, with less than 2% excreted in feces within five days post-injection.