The contrast enhancement obtained with ioversol is related to iodine content. Immediately after ioversol is injected, a peak in iodine plasma levels can be detected. However, depending on the organ being imaged, the time to maximum contrast will vary. The time to maximum contrast enhancement will range from the time iodine plasma levels reach their highest concentration to one hour after intravenous bolus administration. The delay between a peak in iodine plasma levels and maximum contrast enhancement is partly due to the accumulation of iodine-containing medium within a lesion and outside the blood pool. Ioversol is a highly soluble non-ionic ionidated contrast agent. Intravascular injection of ioversol opacifies those vessels in the path of the flow of the contrast medium, allowing the radiographic visualization of the internal structures until significant hemodilution occurs. In imaging procedures, ioversol diffuses from the vascular to the extravascular space. In brains with an intact blood-brain barrier, this agent does not diffuse to the extravascular space. However, in patients with a disrupted blood-brain barrier, ioversol accumulates in the interstitial space of the disrupted region. Ioversol enhances computed tomographic imaging through augmentation of radiographic efficiency with the degree of density enhancement directly related to the iodine content in an administered dose. Ioversol does not undergo significant metabolism, deiodination or biotransformation.

Ioversol Metabolism References