The Value of Intravenous Iodinated Contrast Media Pretesting

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of intravenous iodinated contrast media pretesting and to determine whether pretesting can reduce the incidence of adverse reactions caused by administration of iodinated contrast media. We collected data on 3315 patients who had received injections of iodinated contrast media in our department from November 2005 to June 2006. The patients were divided into two groups: those in whom pretesting was performed and 1142 patients in whom pretesting was not performed. The incidence of adverse reactions after intravenous contrast media administration (including ionic and nonionic iodinated contrast media) was recorded and analyzed. In the 2173 patients with pretesting, 7 had adverse reactions during pretesting and only 1 proceeded to complete the study. This patient did not have an adverse reaction after the study. Adverse reactions occurred in 36 (1.66%) of the 2167 patients who underwent pretesting. In the 1142 patients without pretesting, adverse reactions occurred in 19 (1.66%) of these patients. The results showed no statistical difference between the two groups (p = 0.997). Pretesting patients for adverse reactions to intravenous iodinated contrast media does not decrease the incidence of peri- and postprocedure adverse reactions.