Shortage of iodinated contrast media: Status and possible chances - A systematic review.

Koeppel, David R; Boehm, Ingrid B (2023). Shortage of iodinated contrast media: Status and possible chances - A systematic review. European journal of radiology, 164, p. 110853. Elsevier 10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.110853

Preview

Text 1-s2.0-S0720048X23001675-main.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution (CC-BY). Download (874kB) | Preview

PURPOSE

Covid-19 related lockdowns have resulted in a shortage of iodinated contrast media (ICM) in 2022. Health care providers have reacted with implementing conservation strategies to stay operational without compromising patient care. Although articles describing the implemented Interventions have been published, possible chances of the shortage have not yet been mentioned in the literature.

METHODS

We conducted a literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar, and analysed the background, interventions, and possible benefits of low-dose ICM regimens.

RESULTS

We included 22 articles dealing with "ICM shortage" for the analysis. The delivery bottlenecks in the USA and Australia led to two different countermeasures, 1. reduction of the number of contrast-enhanced image-guided examinations and 2. reduction of the (single) ICM dose. Interventions from both groups have resulted in significant reduction of ICM usage; however, group 1 has contributed more to overall ICM reduction. As benefit of the ICM reduction, we revealed an increased safety for patients at risk (e.g. hypersensitivity reactions, contrast-induced acute kidney injury, thyroid toxic effects).

CONCLUSION

The ICM shortage of 2022 has forced health care providers to implement conservation strategies to stay operational. Although there were already proposals for dose reduction before the corona pandemic and the associated supply bottlenecks, this situation led to the use of a reduced amount of contrast agent on a large scale. This presents a good opportunity to reconsider protocols and the use of contrast-enhanced imaging in general for future practice as it offers chances and advantages regarding costs, environmental impact, and patient safety.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

131 since deposited on 09 May 2023
89 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item