Gadoxetate disodium-induced tachypnoea and the effect of dilution method: a proof-of-concept study in mice

To directly investigate the rapid respiratory effect of gadoxetate disodium in an experimental study using mice. After confirming the steady respiratory state under general anaesthesia, eight mice were injected with all test agents in the following order: phosphate-buffered saline (A, control group), 1.25 mmol/kg of gadoteridol (B) or gadopentetate dimeglumine (C), or 0.31 mmol/kg of gadoxetate disodium (D, E). The experimenter was not blinded to the agents. The injection dose was fixed as 100 μL for Groups A-D and 50 μL for Group E. We continuously monitored and recorded respiratory rate (RR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and heart rate. The time-series changes from 0 to 30 s were compared by the linear mixed method Groups D and E showed the largest RR increase (20.6 and 20.3 breaths/min, respectively) and were significantly larger compared to Group A (3.36 breaths/min, both P<0.001). RR change of Groups D and E did not differ. RR change of Groups B and C was smaller (0.72 and 12.4 breaths/min, respectively) and did not differ statistically with Group A. Significant bradycardia was observed only in Group C (P<0.001). SpO2 was constant in all groups. Gadoxetate disodium causes a rapid tachypnoea without significant change of SpO2 and heart rate regardless of the dilution method. • Injection of gadoxetate disodium causes tachypnoea. • Dilution method did not alter the rapid respiratory effect of gadoxetate disodium. • The respiratory effect of gadoxetate disodium was larger than other contrast agents.