The results of a yearlong randomized trial of contrast media use during balloon angioplasty and/or stent placement favors Nycomed Amersham Imaging's Visipaque iodixanol agent over the ionic low-osmolar contrast agent ioxaglate, Nycomed has announced.
The COURT trial was conducted at 13 clinical sites in the U.S., among 856 patients considered at high risk for developing complications during the procedures. The results showed 45% fewer serious in-hospital complications when Visipaque was used rather than ioxaglate, according to Princeton, NJ-based Nycomed.
Vispaque, introduced in 1996, was also associated with a 7% greater frequency of angiographic success, according to the company. The study was published in the May 9, 2000 issue of Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
May 10, 2000
