Three cases of icg side effects

Abstract

ICG is believed to be safe and widely utilized to examine liver function clinically ; however, side effects do exist and cases of shock and death have been reported. A discussion on three cases of apparent ICG side effects among 2,753 examinations (0.11%) past 8 years in two hospitals of Showa University was made. First case was a 43-year-old male suspected of liver tumor. He fell in state of shock 90 seconds after administration of 0.5mg/kg ICG intravenously. Although cardiac and respiratory arrest were observed, he was saved by intensive care. Second case was a 55-year-old female diagnosed chronic hepatitis. She suffered from nausea, vomiting and a vigrous drop of blood pressure after 60 seconds of ICG administration and recovered by antishock therapy. Last case was a 59-year-old female diagnosed liver cirrhosis. She complained of nausea and chillness right after ICG given. No special care but resting was taken for her to recover. Over one hundred cases of ICG side effect including 20 cases of shock and 5 cases of death have been reported nation wide. Rates of ICG side effect occurrences differ from one hospital to another reporting minimum of 0.05% to maximum of 0.3%. ICG contains a trace amount of iodine and an involvement of iodine allergy might be speculated ; however, many cases with negative iodine tests and no allergy to other drugs showing ICG side effects were also reported. We thought it is necessary to pay good attention before and during ICG examinations for occurrence of side effects is rare but could be fatal. © 1987, The Showa University Society. All rights reserved.