Hemodynamic effects of pulmonary arterial injections of ionic (sodium methylglucamine diatrizoate) and non-ionic contrast media (iohexol) were compared in 9 anesthetized dogs which were maintained with an open thorax in a resting control state. Both were found to increase pulmonary arterial pressure and cardiac output. In addition, both resulted in decreased systemic vascular resistance, though the effect was significantly less with the non-ionic agent. Aortic pressure did not change with the non-ionic agent but fell drastically with the ionic agent. Contrary to prevailing beliefs, the predominant response of the pulmonary circulation to contrast media was a fall rather than a rise in pulmonary vascular resistance.