Is there any problem with using iodinated contrast for CT if a patient is on the cardiac drug Amiodarone?

Is there any problem with using iodinated contrast for CT if a patient is on the cardiac drug Amiodarone?

This was a new question to me when posted on www.ctisus.com in October 2008. I spoke to an expert on contrast from GE Healthcare and there response is below. Please note at Hopkins there is no issue with this drug and IV contrast agents. The problem is complex with amiodaraone but I will try to summarize: Only one retrospective analysis on iohexol showed this Q-T prolongation and only with intracoronary use. It has been shown in dog experiments that this effect is due to hyperosmolality of iohexol (twice blood) and lack of electrolytes in the contrast medium when injected intracoronary (Pedersen article). It may also have something to do with the fact that contrast media injected in high concentration in small arteries carries no oxygen. The same effect has not been shown with IA injections outside the heart or with IV injections, so the effect is likely a local one with intracoronary injection. The effect is likely to occur with all current LOCMs on the market,as osmolality and chemical formulation are similar. Also, none contain electrolytes This is part of the reason that isosmolar Visipaque was formulated with Na and Ca in a specific ratio, and why this agent was originally marketed in the cath lab. 5. Amiodarone contains no warning against the use of iodinated contrast agents. helps. - Richard A. Vitti, MD Medical and Professional Services GE Healthcare