Intravascular agglutination of the flowing blood following the injection of radiopaque contrast media

Abstract

3 specific types of evidence show that radiopaque contrast media and blood react with each other to form agglutinated blood cell masses. The reaction begins the instant the media come in contact with the flowing blood. These blood cell masses are held together by precipitates. Intra-arterial injections of radiopaque media change the physical consistency of the blood by increasing its resistance to flow, hence forcibly reducing its rate of flow. The narrowest vessels may even become plugged. Thus far, injection of radiopaque media has been observed not to initiate constriction or spasm of the vessel into which it is injected or through which it is passing or has passed. Some of the currently used radiopaque media can perhaps be modified successfully by the addition of substances that will prevent or reverse the precipitation and agglutination reactions of blood. The methods developed in this study should be applied to test many different drugs now given intravascularly.