Change of culprit agent prevents recurrent hypersensitivity reactions to iodinated contrast media

ABSTRACT

With technical advances in computed tomography and the introduction of non-ionic low- or iso-osmolar iodinated contrast media (ICM), the use of ICM and the occurrence of ICM-related hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) has rapidly increased. Although ICM-related HSRs are known to be mild, they still represent life-threatening events in rare instances. It is therefore important to prevent recurrent HSRs in high-risk patients. Changing the culprit contrast agent is a powerful known tool for reducing the recurrence rate of HSRs. Based on the large body of evidence, the American College of Radiology manual on contrast media (latest version 10.3) suggests that changing the ICM within the same class may help reduce the likelihood of a subsequent contrast reaction. Furthermore, the European Society of Urogenital Radiology guidelines on contrast agents (latest version 10) also recommends using a different contrast agent with previous contrast agent reactors to reduce the risk of an acute reaction. In this article, we review the necessity and clinical efficacy of changing the culprit ICM for high-risk patients at the time of re-exposure to prevent ICM-related HSRs and minimize the risk of fatality.