Recently, on the news, there was a segment about the dye injected into our bodies when we have an angiogram. I had an angiogram done in March 2009 and this report concerned me greatly.
This dye appears to have adverse long-term and short-term effects on 81% of those who receive it although it is not not necessarily fatal.
However, according to a study done in Ontario, Canada (where I live), this dye increases the risk of heart attack, which I already had before the angiogram and stent was inserted, stroke, kidney failure and death within one year by 14%. It was even worse with Type 2 diabetics, which I am. The report ended by saying, "we want to make a safe procedure, even safer".
By the time this statement was made, I had freaked out thinking that the drs had recommended the angioplasty and stent but now the dye was toxic so I am still at risk, not only for another blockage but for toxicity. It took awhile but I finally managed to think straight enough to realize that one study is not conclusive and that if the procedure is "safe" and medical researchers want to make it "safer" by somehow adjusting the dye then maybe I was overreacting. Why, then, can't I shake the feeling that something is going on? Who funded this study? The companies that make the dye? Is it about money and profit? Are those of us who have had an angiogram at increased risk?
It seems like ever since having a heart attack, I have been existing in fear over doing anything. Even the stress test was an ordeal but that's another story.
Does anyone know anything or have you heard anything about this dye that is injected into us putting us at increased risk of another heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and - death? Any Type 2 diabetics who have noticed anything unusual after being exposed to this dye?
Already a member? Sign in
Welcome to Inspire!
What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.
Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.
How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!
Angiogram Dye Injections
- By lonewolf7
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 8:06 am · 27 replies
- In Emotional and psychological issues
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Heart disease Stroke Diabetes Kidney stones Anxiety Angina Pain Heart attack Stent Stress
27 replies
- Oldest first
- Newest first
- By gracie62
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 9:43 am
- Report post
Right after my first stent I read everything I could get my hands/fingers on. I was in a panic mode over every article that appeared negative in some way on my situation. Since then, I have relaxed and you will, too, in time. For every article or study you read about something negative on a certain treatment/medication, you can find several others toting the safety of the same. You just have to take what you need to from what you read and be educated without panicking. Easier said than done, I know.
I am also a Type 2 diabetic. I lost count of my caths/angiograms after the 11th. I have never had any problem with the dye to my knowledge. I get regular blood work including kidney fuction tests, etc.
Take care and it will get easier, I promise, the further out you get from your heart attack.
Dianna
- By carmelbabe
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 10:56 am
- Report post
I too am a type 2 diabetic and had no problems. My father has had this procedure and he is insulin dependent and did not have any issues with it. I think maybe 81% complication rate is a little high, but they might be counting ANY type of complication in their finding. I don't think I would lose sleep over it, but it might be worth a blood panel just to be sure!
- By martzj
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 1:51 pm
- Report post
Hey lonewolf
Are you able to post a link to this research for the rest of us to follow?
The US info links on the dye gererally cite a tiny population experience adverse reactions to the dye. Diabetics are supposed to be scheduled for these tests and procedures first in line to avoid going without food for too long. (I also feel horrid from novacaine at the dentist and had an acute MI 5 days after my first root canal).
Which is why I end up feeling really crappy for the next 2 days beyond nuclear stress tests w dye...because I'm NOT diabetic, so I get stuck not being allowed to eat or drink anything for 16 hours....I get very dehydrated which makes me ILL...not the dye. I get pushed to the end of the line and late in the day because I'm not diabetic or a child.
Dye is no harder on kidneys and livers than eating whole box of cookies or bag of chips at one sitting. Certainly no harder on the heart.
- By Hany
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 5:47 pm
- Report post
Hey Lonewolf
This is why I havent had an angio. But I was seriously considering it, and asking at next appointment. However 81% have adverse reactions is not good. I had adverse reactions to radioactive tracers that left me with blood preassure of 35/ 55 ,not urinating , not enough strenth to eat or tolerate sunlight or stand up, for weeks... So am very scared to have angio. One Dr I spoke to said the fact that my symptoms come in phases is not indicative of blockage. That if you have a blockage then you have continous pain untill you eventually have heart attack ,not one week really bad and the next week alot better. I dont know . Anyway if you didnt have any adverse reactions then or now I guess you are allright with the dye. I wonder if they can use something else like gadolinium?
Hana
- By Great-gram
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 7:50 pm
- Report post
HI! Your comments caught my attention. The nuclear stress test facilities that I go to are connected to our cardiac doctor's office. Their policy is to do all the nuclear stress tests in the am and the non-nuclear; non-fasting ones in the afternoon. The office building is attached to the hospital, so if you have an emergency everything is close at hand. I don't know it you have tried to communicate how ill you feel; if you didn't, please try. They may be able to schedule you earlier in the day. I' m not diabetic and have managed to to 8:00 am to 9:00 am slots; could get it earlier, but, no thanks! Pray that you are doing well! Blessings! Great-gram
- By lonewolf7
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 11:29 pm
- Report post
I'll try to find a link. The 81% does seem a bit high but it was the news - not always the most reliable.
When I had my angioplasty and stent inserted, it was right after having a heart attack so there was no fasting, no anything - just get the procedure done to avoid any damage. I am a Type 2 diabetic and the highest my sugar has ever been, even before taking meds, was nine. I didn't think that was incredibly high. My cardiologist told me that sugar increases and decreases a lot faster during and right after a heart attack and even then my sugar was never extremely high (to my knowledge).
I do hope that after getting past a certain point after having a heart attack I won't be as anxious but will still be motivated to eat better and exercise more. That whole dye "thing" could have been alarmist or it could be valid. That's what a website like this is so good for - other people's opinions, knowledge and experience.
Maybe I am in the fear/anger stage now. I don't know. Have begun rehab but that's another story.
Did someone say "cookies"? = )
- By MMaslek
- Posted July 1, 2009 at 7:48 am
- Report post
I'm sure it's like everything else we heard... valid to a point. I think in many cases it truly a risk vs reward situation. I've lost count of the angios... somewhere in the upper teens.. & repeatedly had I not had the angios I'd have been dead within days. I hate hate hate angios but I like being alive so I deal with it. A nuclear scan showed a small mild blockage that ended (on angio) up being a 99% blockage of the LAD & I had a HA while having the angio. We wanted to blame the HA on the angio but it was coming either way & had I not been in a situation where they could administer the balloon pump, I would have died.
Not having an angio because of the dye is like jumping out of an airplane & deciding not to use the parachute because someone said they don't always open. The fall is coming either way. Now, not every case is that serious but how do you really know without the angio.
- By Nancy-in-KC
- Posted July 1, 2009 at 10:22 am
- Report post
"Dye is no harder on kidneys and livers than eating whole box of cookies or bag of chips at one sitting. Certainly no harder on the heart."
Actually, the dye used in angiograms/angioplasties can have an adverse affect on the kidneys and particularly if you have chronic kidney disease like I do. Over the course of my life I've had 10 -11 caths and over time, they've damaged my kidneys. The last two cath procedures I have had they have medicated me with muco-mist and hydrated me prior to the procedure in an attempt to protect the kidneys. That said, perhaps I am a person that was predisposed to kindey disease and therefor susceptible to the effects of the dye. If you are otherwise healthy, with no pre-existing kidney issues, one cath is not likely to be an issue kidney wise, but this is always something you should discuss with your doctor if you have any pre-existing conditions.
Nancy
- By Lynnedz56
- Posted July 1, 2009 at 11:20 am
- Report post
I too have kidney disease and was "prepped" well before my angiogram. And even though there was some risk to my kidneys, it was a greater risk to NOT have the angiogram. And I also have a very severe reaction to the iodine in the dye. But again, I was prepped well before hand. And in my case, finding the blockage saved my life. And I came through it with flying colors. My nephrologist is thrilled with my kidney function.
- By AlaskaGirl
- Posted July 1, 2009 at 11:38 am
- Report post
I have had several angograms(heart caths) and am Type 2 Diabetic. Angiograms are inherently dangerous to have performed because they are so invasive. But, to their credit, they are the "gold" standard in diagnosis of heart disease. Also, the dye in nuclear stress tests (thallium) is hazardous, but, again, in getting an accurate diagnosis, to my mind, is paramount. I would have died without any of these tests and I'm still here, fighting for 15 years, and now a WomenHeart Champion and Support Network leader because I was able to get these tests and survive. I think that speaks for itself. AlaskaGirl
- By lonewolf7
- Posted July 1, 2009 at 4:32 pm
- Report post
Here is the link to the news report:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090628/kidneys_dye_09 0628/20090628/
I agree with what everyone has said regarding having the angioplasty being much more beneficial than not having it. After my initial "freak out" at this news report, I realized that it was better to have the angiography than not to and to have a stent inserted despite negative things I have heard about them.
It seems like on this discussion we have all had similar experiences and have all decided that having the procedure was life saving and worth the risks or side effects. I also realized that just because one study was done and revealed the risks, other studies can be done that would produce the opposite results. Also, the news isn't always accurate (what a surprise).
It's so good to have a place to write what I feel without being dismissed. Everytime I come here, I learn something. Hope the time will come when I can help some one too.
- By martzj
- Posted July 1, 2009 at 7:27 pm
- Report post
Thanks for the link lonewolf...It was really very good to be so short. I didn't see 81%...I saw 31% of 300 patients with preexisting kidney disease had some type of reaction....But the study included the very important point that doctors are using this as an indicator to blood test kidney patients before each of these tests to see what their status is. And then they can do pre and post prep to help clear the kidneys quickly. Sounds like fast action is being taken on this and that is very encouraging.
You will never be dismissed here. People may offer differing experiences and opinions ....but no one will dismiss or turn away.
take good care,
Jaynie
- By Trissie
- Posted July 1, 2009 at 7:29 pm
- Report post
I too have Type 2 diabetes and am insulin dependant, but I have felt for years that the dye is beneficial. I have the Prinzmetal's spasms and when I've had a crisis and thus needed an angio, the dye seems to put a fast, lasting stop to the spasms. It appears to work whether I need a new stent or no. In fact we've wished that I could have the dye injected and no angio, but of course that is nonsense.
Trissie
- By lvfrogs
- Posted July 2, 2009 at 8:06 am
- Report post
I haven't had any adverse reactions to the dye and I just recently had it for a pelvic CT. But interesting Trissie, that you said the dye seemed to stop your spasms, because since I had the pelvic CT, my spasms have lessened considerably. I would never have connected that. I wonder why that is???
Colleen
- By lonewolf7
- Posted July 2, 2009 at 4:47 pm
- Report post
martzj - I could quite easily have misread the 31 as 81. I wasn't wearing my glasses when I watched the news. Sometimes in writing it makes more sense than when there is a reporter and a dr interacting with each other on TV.
frogs - what is a CT? My son had dye injected into him a few times when he had kidney stones. Is that the same dye injected into us for angioplasty? Was also informed by the hospital not to take my diabetic meds for a few days because it didn't go well with the dye. Ultimately, it seems that the dye is more beneficial than not and if it can be made even more safe, so much the better. There will always be people who are allergic to something; we can only try to communicate with our drs and hope they listen.
- By Trissie
- Posted July 2, 2009 at 5:42 pm
- Report post
Colleen,
Thanks for your message, my doctor usually smiles when I suggest something like the dye theory, now I feel a bit more validated.
Trissie
- By Clematis
- Posted July 2, 2009 at 7:26 pm
- Report post
In regards to nuclear testing and bodily reation, my sister insists that I drink Cilantro tea for five days after all my tests. This herb cleanses the aluminums and metals from our bodies. I now make and drink green and cilantro tea everyday and somehow because I am doing something-it brings relief...
- By afargelli
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 7:13 am
- Report post
I am scheduled for a angio on Thursday. I had a stent placed LAD in 12/09. I had a chemical stress stess test that showed a mild defect in apical wall.
The point is that I am scared and now with the dye, the angio and what to expect afterwards. It took months to get back on track after the stent. Can anyone tell me what to expect if this turns out to be a look and see and no stent?
- By afargelli
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 7:13 am
- Report post
I am scheduled for a angio on Thursday. I had a stent placed LAD in 12/09. I had a chemical stress stess test that showed a mild defect in apical wall.
The point is that I am scared and now with the dye, the angio and what to expect afterwards. It took months to get back on track after the stent. Can anyone tell me what to expect if this turns out to be a look and see and no stent?
- By martzj
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 11:49 am
- Report post
Hi aftergelli,
I had two stents (one in LAD, 1996) deployed via angiograms....Then a 3rd cath three years later when both stents were shown to be more than 70% blocked + area of dead heart muscle was expanding (ischemic). Although the blockages were scar tissue, not CAD, the cardio pulled out and said we would medically manage it from that point on. I was home and active the next day (Halloween night : ) It is scary not knowing what can happen.....but sometimes you may be pleasantly surprised!
hugs to you,
Jaynie
Add to the discussion