Metrizamide and metrizoate for cardioangiography in infants. Comparison of heart rate and arrhythmia.

The cardiotoxic effect of Isopaque Coronar (metrizoate 370 mg I/ml) and Amipaque (metrizamide 370 mg I/ml) was analysed in 52 infants weighing less than 5 kg. In each group of patients 37 injections of contrast medium were performed and the immediate side effects, extrasystoles and change in heart frequency, were recorded. Amipaque caused significantly less bradycardia and significantly fewer immediate extrasystoles than Isopaque Coronar. The results indicate a lower cardiotoxicity of Amipaque in cardioangiography in infants.