The Common Vein Copyright 2008

 

Pregnancy

The use of IV contrast in pregnancy has not been studied from a point of view of teratogenicity, use should be on a case by case basis with informed consent obtained from the patient, typically by the ordering physician.  If a radiologist is available and consent has not been obtained for a patient who is already in the department, the radiologist should obtain consent.

Lactation (from ACR guidelines)

Mothers who are breast-feeding should be given the opportunity to make an informed decision as to whether to continue or temporarily abstain from breast-feeding, after IV contrast (whether iodinated or Gadolinium-based). The available data suggest that it is safe for the mother and child to continue breast-feeding.  If the patient remains concerned, the mother may abstain from breast-feeding for 24 hours with active expression and discarding of breast milk