Nipride drip and no MRI/MRA?

Pete495 · Feb 28, 2005

I have never heard that, but it is pretty interesting. They do inject dye with MRA if I'm not mistaken. So I wonder if there is a compatibility problem. If the dye and the nipride vasodilate too much, I would think that could be a devastating complication, esp. if you're taking pictures of an already injured brain. However, if this were the case, how would you do a CT Scan either? My feeling is it has something to do w/ the patient's disease process. Probably need more info. on the patient.

Kiwi, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2005

I have never heard that, but it is pretty interesting. They do inject dye with MRA if I'm not mistaken. So I wonder if there is a compatibility problem. If the dye and the nipride vasodilate too much, I would think that could be a devastating complication, esp. if you're taking pictures of an already injured brain. However, if this were the case, how would you do a CT Scan either? My feeling is it has something to do w/ the patient's disease process. Probably need more info. on the patient.

Thanks! I'll look more into the pt's case.

rstewart · Feb 28, 2005

Thanks! I'll look more into the pt's case.

I'm going to take a guess here and say that the nurse meant that the patient was too unstable to do without the Nipride, but couldn't have the MRI because of the metal in the pump needed to accurately infuse the Nipride (and not because of any particular chemical property of the drug.)

sjt9721, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2005

I agree with rstewart. The pump cannot enter the MRI area & Dial-a-Flow tubing probably wouldn't be accurate enough for the Nipride. And the patient is not stable enough to be off the Nipride. Sounds like a rock & a hard place...

*Ever seen an IV pump after it was yanked off the pole and attached to the MRI machine? Ouch!*

Pete495 · Feb 28, 2005

As far as I know, there are pumps available to use in MRI, and this is done on a pretty routine basis without complication.

sandyth · Feb 28, 2005

:rotfl: Nipride increases the creatinine clearance, so wouldnt the nipride and opaque dye used in the MRI impair the renal function? Also nipride can increase intracranial pressure. Just a thought, dont know the pts dx.

sjt9721, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2005

As far as I know, there are pumps available to use in MRI, and this is done on a pretty routine basis without complication.

Guess that manufacturer isn't on our list of corporate contracts! :)

begalli · Feb 28, 2005

Was the patient swanned? If they were, there temperature probe portion of the swan has metal in it.

begalli · Feb 28, 2005

As far as I know, there are pumps available to use in MRI, and this is done on a pretty routine basis without complication.

In the last year, our MRI dept got this pump. We used to use the dial-a-flows. UGH!