Contrast media and microcirculation: red blood cell aggregation and deformation study

We studied the effects of six contrast media (iohexol, ioxaglate, iopamidol, ioversol, iotrolan and diatrizoate) on red blood cell (RBC) aggregation and deformation with normal blood from a single donor. RBC aggregation was studied in an erythroaggregometer with various concentrations of contrast media or saline (0%–20%). An apparent decrease of RBC aggregation was observed with most contrast media when concentrations were increased. Similar results were observed with physiological saline, suggesting dilution interference. Thus, we observed what occurred after the dilution was corrected by adding fibrinogen: hyperaggregation was found with all agents when fibrinogen was added to the solution. RBC deformation was quantified after short contact with contrast media (20% vol/vol) by light microscopy. It depends on the nature of the contrast medium. Deformation was always reversible.