CTisus Contrast Protocols - CTisus.com CT Scanning

Additional Resources ❯ CTisus Contrast Protocols ❯ Contrast: Reactions and Complications Q13

Reactions and Complications

	1. How often do contrast reactions occur to IV contrast? Are there patients at increased risk?
	2. Although most iodinated contrast reactions are typically mild, what is the long term sequelae to the patient who gets a reaction?
	3. Are there specific patients or risk factors that make it more likely to get a contrast reaction?
	4. Will faster injection rates (5 cc/sec vs. 1 cc/sec) result in an increased incidence of contrast reactions?
	5. What are the categories of contrast reactions?
	6. Death is one of the potential complications of IV contrast. How often does this occur?
	7. What are the risks of IV contrast in terms of renal failure (CIN)? How often does CIN occur? How we prevent CIN?
	8. Who can not get IV contrast material?
Allergic Reactions
	1. Part 1: Can a patient get a rash from IV contrast? Can it occur 24-36 hours post CT study? Part 2: How do you treat the rash?
	2. Is it possible for a patient to get a delayed reaction to IV contrast?
	3. What if a patient is allergic to IV contrast material?
	4. Part 1: What patients are allergic to IV contrast? Part 2: Can we premedicate these patients and if yes what is our premedication protocol?
	5. Our patient needs the study now. What else can we do?
	Intravenous hydrocortisone at 200 mg can be used but the ACR recommends at least a 6 hours before doing the study. In emergent situations IV hydrocortisone (200 mg) plus H-1 antihistamine (50 mg benadryl) one hour pre-study has been used. In addition to premedication please speak to the radiologist responsible for the study to make sure they recognize the high risk patient and additional care and observation of the patient is needed. Remember that pre-medication helps reduce the risk of a reaction but does not eliminate the risk.
	6. The patient is allergic to shellfish or crabs. Can they get a IV contrast?
Extravasation
	1. What is contrast extravasation and how often does it occur?
	2. How do you prevent contrast extravasation?
	3. Part 1: How do we treat contrast extravasation when it happens? Part 2: Is cold compresses the rule or hot compresses?
	4. What if extravasation does occur. How often are there severe complication?

<< Previous Question | Next Question >>

Reactions and Complications

Allergic Reactions

Extravasation