Safety of iodinated intravenous contrast medium administration in sickle cell disease.

Background: Increased sickling of erythrocytes following intravenous iodinated contrast has been described in patients with sickle cell disease. In vitro, the effect is correlated with the tonicity, viscosity, acidity, and ionic nature of contrast media. Less erythrocyte sickling is observed in vitro with second-generation low- and iso-osmolar contrast agents.

Health-related quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Improved outcomes with expanding treatment options for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension present the opportunity to consider additional end-points in approaching therapy, including factors that influence health-related quality of life. However, comparatively little is known about health-related quality of life and its determinants in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Methods: Health-related quality of life was evaluated in a cross sectional study of 155 outpatients with pulmonary arterial hypertension using generic and respiratory-disease specific measurement tools.