A Case of Alveolar Haemorrhage Induced by Iodinated Contrast Medium Use

An 81-year-old man complaining of exertional dyspnoea underwent coronary angiography using an iodinated contrast medium. After angiography, the patient required systemic corticosteroid therapy because of respiratory failure due to alveolar haemorrhage. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed 29 days after angiography using the same contrast medium. After the intervention, the patient required intubated mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy. Bronchoalveolar lavage was bloody with many haemosiderin-filled macrophages. Systemic corticosteroid therapy again improved his clinical condition. Iodinated contrast media may cause alveolar haemorrhage and re-exposure to contrast media may induce a more severe adverse reaction.