Evaluation of blood pressure variations during the administration of intravascular contrast media in cect abdomen

Objective: Hemodynamic changes may occur with the rapid intravenous injection of contrast media due to the osmolality of contrast media. This study is aimed to evaluate the blood pressure variation during the administration of intravascular contrast media in contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the abdomen. Methods: The study was performed in 146 subjects, who underwent abdomen CT scan with 64-slice Philips Brilliance CT scanner in the department of radio-diagnosis and imaging. Using convenience sampling technique, 73 subjects who were referred for CECT abdomen scan and another 73 subjects who were referred for non-CECT (NCECT) abdomen scan were included in the study. Among the CECT group, intravascular contrast media was injected into the patient during the scan. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were recorded just before and immediately after the scan in CECT and NCECT groups, by two readers independently. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure for both groups was calculated with standard deviation. The data were analyzed using repeated measures of ANOVA. Results: Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased with the injection of contrast media among CECT scan group. No significant changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found before and after the scan of NCECT group. Conclusion: An increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures is associated with the intravascular administration of non-ionic low-osmolar contrast media.