EFFECT OF CONTRAST MEDIUM INFUSION ON COLLOID OSMOTIC PRESSURE (COP) AND OSMOLARITY IN THE NEWBORN DURING CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION

Abstract

The injection of extremely high osmolar contrast medium into a newborn infant undergoing angiocardiographic study has been a concern. We studied the effect of contrast medium on COP and osmolarity changes in the newborns during a six month period in 1983. Twenty-two infants underwent cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography during this period. The average gestational age was 39.6 weeks and the mean birthweight 3266 gms. Ages ranged from one to 28 days of life. Diatrizoate sodium 50% solution (MD-50) was used at a dose of 3.3 ml/kg. Direct measurement of MD-50 revealed COP of 7.0 mmHg and osmolarity of 1497 mOsm/L. Blood samples were obtained before and at one hour and 4 hours after injection of MD-50. COP was determined by Wescor 4100 Colloid Osmometer. Serum osmolarity was measured by Wescor 5100 C Vapor pressure Osmometer.

There was no significant change in COP before and after injection. However, there was significant although small overall change in osmolarity before and after infusion of MD-50 (one way analysis of variance p=0.0021). This small alteration in osmolarity probably does little harm in our cases but larger doses may cause osmolar imbalance.

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