CT Scan dye

[Profound15]

I’ve got a CT scan tomorrow morning and just wondered if anyone had experienced if the dye that gets injected into you causes afib at all please

[Profound15]

Thanks John. I’ve told them that I suffer from PAF so they are aware. The nurse said she would record it but didn’t think there would be an issue. Fingers crossed

[Dickydon in reply to Profound15]

I just Googled PAF and the result that came back was: Pakistan Air Force. So whether you had a Pakistani Air Force issue, then I’m sure you know what you experienced or might experience.

I’m okay with abbreviated terms but there are some who are not. It would be helpful if contributors could include the meaning to their abbreviations.

A subject I believe was brought up by the Admin of this group a while back!

Thank You.

[heartmatters1]

Hi

My husband, who too has AF, has had a few CT scans with dye & without over the last couple of years, and he has not experienced any adverse effects at all.

Best wishes with your scan.

Ally

[BobD Volunteer]

All it ever did for me is make me think I wet myself. lol 😁

[Desanthony in reply to BobD]

Same here!

[bantam12]

The dye has never caused me any problem but IV Buscopan for an MRI was a disaster and should never have been given to me ! Everyone with Afib beware of IV Buscopan 😳

[Profound15]

Thanks all. I guess I’ll have to pack a spare pair of undies, just in case 🥺

[pottypete1]

You just get a metallic taste but in my experience I had no associated AF problems.

Pete

[Profound15 in reply to pottypete1]

Thanks Pete

[Pantani]

I had a CT scan laßt week and had no side effects regardin AF.

[Profound15 in reply to Pantani]

Thanks Pantani

[pd63]

My only problem was my needle phobia, Aaarrrgghh!!!

[Newmanbac]

I am currently in AF having suffered numerous bouts over a 35 year period. I am going into hospital this coming Friday 13th November for a CT scan following bowel cancer surgery and as a result of previous allergic reactions to the contrast dye, I am not sure at this stage if they will use the contrast again. The dye has never affected my sinus rhythm in the past, but my next cardioversion has been delayed until after the scan, to be on the safe side.

Something, however, worthy of pointing out is that the contrast dye can cause kidney damage so it is important to drink plenty of water following the procedure to reduce the potential for negative effects. Clearly, it is essential to take plenty of fluid on board if you have any existing kidney issues, which I have. At no time have I ever been warned about this, so take heed!

[Maggimunro in reply to Newmanbac]

Good point newman. I’m going in for a kidney scan soon, so I shall bear that in mind about hydration.

[cuore in reply to Newmanbac]

Gee, that's an interesting comment because I have had three CT scans literally right before the ablations. From the CT scan room, I was wheeled into the ablation room. I was not to drink water for the ablation and in no way could I drink water during the ablation.

[Newmanbac in reply to cuore]

Hello cuore,

In acknowledgement of your response, I would reiterate that the recommendations are to drink plenty of fluids following the procedure, not before or during!

The following is a quote from the Head of Service, Radiology Department:

'If you have had an injection of contrast medium during the CT Scan it is advisable to drink plenty of fluids over the following 24 hours to reduce possible risks of kidney injury'.

[cuore in reply to Newmanbac]

Thank you for the clarification. I did not pick up that the fluids are for after. That makes sense.

[opal11uk]

I have had this with no problem, the only problem is your own anxiety where A/F is concerned so try and stay nice and relaxed and you will be fine.

[Jodiedebs55]

I had a CT scan of my heart with dye last week and they top up the canula with beta blocker to bring your heart rate down to 60 I wasn't happy about this as he wasn't even aware I had just taken my 2.5 bisoprolol but said I'd be fine . The dye didn't appear to affect me but they asked me to wait in the waiting room for 15 mins after the procedure to ensure the dye had no side effects.

[Mrsvemb]

I have had loads of CT scans with no AF problems at all. However, last year I had to have a triple phase CT which used a different contrast which was stronger called Omnipaque 350 that caused my heart to race when administered, but only for a couple of minutes and that night I got AF.

Now when it came to this year at my usual hospital The radiologist said that I cant have any contrast just in case.

[Thomas45]

I've had 2 CT scans in the last few years. I told the nurse during the first scan that I had permanent AF and she didn't use the dye. A couple of years later, I told them about my AF and they said the dye wouldn't affect the AF, and so I had the dye and it had no effect.

[Lovelycatlady]

I have had this procedure a few times with no side effects, apart from the feeling that you have wet yourself. Good luck 🤞

[Morzine]

Yes no problems, you get a warm feeling when it goes thru you but it was easy

Sue

[TMeditation]

I had to have one of these scans a few months back and being a PAF sufferer I declined the dye for that reason. This means they can’t get as much info from the scan and on reflection I wished I had had the dye. It didn’t make a huge difference to the outcome of my scan but you just can’t know. Good luck with your decision. When you slip in an out of AF you’d do anything not to go back into it and maybe sometimes you’ve just got to be brave - and keep your fingers crossed!

[nurdin]

I have had CT scans with dye and didnt experience any AF episodes

[Gvvgvjtf]

Hi, had it a couple of times, slightly weird feeling when it goes in, but never caused me any issues. The key thing is not to panic when you get the cold dye and tingling, as they would be the only way I could see it causing you af fib problems. It's boring, but otherwise not a terrible experience.

[Catavellunii]

I was refused a cat scan with dye on the grounds the dye could damage my kidneys. I have had them with dye in the past and I had a hot feeling as the dye passed through my brain and I felt that I had wet myself. No affect on my AF

[2bluegrunty]

I had this dye injected into me I got a bad reaction to this looked like had been scolded and itching . Had a ct scan two months before with no reaction.

[Profound15]

Just had the scan and now back home. Got a run of ectopics whilst lying there before they put the dye in. Guess the palpitations were down to stress/tension but no problems when they put the dye in though which was great. The warm feeling is odd but not painful.

[belindalore]

Do you know if you are allergic to any of the dyes they use? If so they can give something to counteract that.

[Profound15 in reply to belindalore]

No all seems fine so far thanks

[belindalore in reply to Profound15]

Good. Good luck with your procedure. You'll be fine.

[Adasian]

I have had a CT scat with the dye and didn’t notice any change in my AFIB. I am also in persistent/permanent AFIB. I am sure if there were concerns they would let you know. Good luck!

[philologus]

I've had a few of these and the only time I had a problem was last year.

The dye they use is usually iodine based and this can affect your thyroid. I was taking an iodine supplement at the time and the amount in the dye caused an overload and I had hyperthyroidism for a couple of months which wasn't pleasant but gradually reduced when I went on a iodine free diet for two months.

[Nanopiano]

I don't think this has been mentioned as a possible side effect. It's been almost two years since I had a CAT scan pre-op for a Maze procedure for AFIB. The surgery was a success, but here I am two years later with hyperthyroidism. The endocrinologist said it might be a result of the dye injected during the scan which contains iodine. Medication is getting me righted, but it apparently happens!

[willec49]

I had the same question but the dye did not cause anything heart-related. I don't think it's known for that.

[C66t]

I had CT with contrast dye, like others have said only issue is feeling you are peeing, You don't!! Best of luck.😀

[Dickydon]

haaah, I’m about to go and ABC because CDE was left to have a cup of tea with LMNOP. 🥴

[Madscientist16]

It felt quite strange indeed. I warmth spread through my body and I thought I peed in my pants. No kidding. But no others issues than that.

[Profound15]

Had the results of my three area scan and thankfully nothing untoward is going on. However my specialist told me that I had a couple of very small gallbladder stones but no action needed at the moment. He doesn't think the stomach pains I had were caused by the stones (different type and location of pain). Has anyone else been diagnosed with gallbladder stones and is there anything I can do to get rid of them please.