CT contrast reaction alarm at Holy Family Hospital: multiple patients affected, one death reported

Serious concerns have emerged at Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi after internal hospital records revealed multiple cases

RAWALPINDI: Serious concerns have emerged at Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi after internal hospital records revealed multiple cases of severe reactions following the use of intravenous contrast medicine during CT scans, with one death reported in an internal communication.

Documents available with the hospital show that several patients developed serious symptoms after receiving contrast material used for enhanced CT scans. The recorded symptoms included breathing difficulty, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, shivering and other complications. Hospital staff documented emergency treatment provided to affected patients after the reactions.

The medicine mentioned in the records was Iohexol, an injectable contrast agent used during CT scan procedures. Hospital documents show that Iohexol based injections, including 100ml doses, were administered before some patients developed suspected adverse reactions.

One hospital note recorded that a patient developed severe symptoms after CT contrast administration, including shivering, fever, shortness of breath, irritability and increased heart rate. The patient was given emergency medicines and oxygen support and later became stable.

Another documented case showed a patient developing respiratory distress after receiving contrast during a CT scan, with oxygen levels dropping significantly. The patient was treated by medical staff and later recovered.

The internal record sent to hospital administration highlighted that multiple patients in the surgical ward experienced severe reactions after contrast enhanced CT scans. It stated that patients who were previously stable became unwell after returning to the ward.

The documents also mention that one patient died after the reported incidents. When the husband of the deceased woman was contacted, he said he knew that his wife’s condition became worse after the injection, but he was not aware of any confirmed investigation establishing that the death occurred due to a complication from the injection. He also said he had no information regarding any inquiry or post-mortem examination related to the matter. A proper medical investigation is required to determine the exact cause of death.

The available records do not establish whether the death was directly linked to Iohexol or whether other medical factors contributed. Health authorities and medical experts would need to examine the complete treatment history, investigation reports and clinical findings before reaching any conclusion.

Hospital documents show that suspected adverse drug reaction reports were prepared and submitted through the pharmacovigilance reporting system. One report recorded symptoms including shivering, vomiting, dizziness and low blood pressure after administration of Iohexol during a CT scan, with emergency treatment provided.

The repeated occurrence of serious reactions has raised questions regarding medicine monitoring, supply checks and patient safety procedures. Authorities may need to review the batch details of the medicine, storage conditions, procurement records and the total number of patients who received the same contrast material.

The purpose of such an inquiry would be to determine whether these were individual medical complications or whether any issue existed related to medicine quality, handling or monitoring procedures.

Questions were sent to hospital officials regarding the reported incidents, but a response was not received before the report was prepared.

A transparent medical and regulatory review is now required to establish the facts and ensure that patient safety remains the priority.