The “myth” of iodine allergy to radiocontrast in Emergency Medicine

• Published in: The American journal of emergency medicine Vol. 37; no. 7; pp. 1363 - 1365
• Main Authors: Sampson, Christopher S., Goddard, Kara B., Bedy, Starr-Mar'ee C., Stilley, Julie A.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-07-2019; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Allergies; Allergy; Cardiology - statistics & numerical data; Contrast; Contrast agents; Contrast media; Contrast Media - adverse effects; Emergency medical care; Emergency medical services; Food allergies; Health Care Surveys; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Hypersensitivity - etiology; Iodine; Iodine - adverse effects; Medicine; Midwestern United States; Pretreatment; Radiology; Radiology - statistics & numerical data; Risk Factors; Seafood; Seafood - adverse effects; Shellfish; Midwestern United States; United States > US; Allergy; CT; Contrast; Iodine
• ISSN: 0735-6757; 1532-8171
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2018.12.011

Over a decade ago, 37% of radiologists and 50% of interventional cardiologists replied in a survey that they would not administer iodinated contrast media or would recommend pretreatment in patients who reported a seafood allergy [13]. According to the American College of Radiology (ACR), true allergies to contrast medium are uncommon [14]. [14-15] Emergency medicine and radiology providers could benefit from additional awareness of ACR recommendations for managing administration of iodinated contrast media in the presence of a documented iodine or seafood allergy.