Imaging Contrast

Contrast agents are injected into patients to help enhance images to make it easier for radiologists distinguish specific areas of the body from surrounding tissues. The most commonly used agents are iodinated contrast dye for computed tomography (CT), interventional cath lab angiography,  RF fluoroscopy, and in surgical OR procedures. MRI scans typically use gadolinium-based contrast agents. Ultrasound and echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) imaging use contrast agents composed of microscopic bubbles to enhance images that otherwise would be suboptimal.

ACR applauds FDA about-face on use of iodinated contrast in children

The update marks a change from the FDA's stance on the topic last year.

April 27, 2023
CCTA with patient-specific versus fixed post-trigger delay

Patient-specific versus fixed post-trigger delay: Which offers superior CCTA image quality?

New research compares peak enhancement timing of a patient-specific post-trigger delay and a fixed delay during CCTA.

April 7, 2023
Iodine contrast being loaded into a contrast injector in preparation for a cardiac CT scan at Duly Health and Care in Lisle, Illinois. The contrast shortage is causing some healthcare organizations to postpone exams and procedures and ration contrast supplies. Photo by Dave Fornell

How to manage patients in need of contrast-enhanced imaging following an allergic-like reaction

Up to one-third or more of patients who experience moderate or severe allergic-like reactions to ICM must have their imaging protocols revised when subsequent exams involving contrast are requested.

March 22, 2023
synthetic contrast-enhanced breast MRI

GBCA dose drops significantly in breast MRI thanks to machine learning

The use of synthetic images could reduce the amount of gadolinium-based contrast agents needed for breast MRI examinations, according to new data published this week in Radiology

March 21, 2023

GE HealthCare's new MRI contrast agent advances to clinical trial

Experts are hopeful that the first-of-its-kind injectable manganese-based macrocyclic agent will offer a suitable alternative to GBCAs, as it can be more efficiently eliminated from the body.

March 1, 2023
gadolinium, GBCAs

Expert left 'astounded' by gadolinium discovery

New data out of the University of New Mexico suggest that the imaging agent’s physiologic reach may exceed what was previously believed.

February 17, 2023
update policy

New contrast agent is officially available for use in hospitals and clinics

A Feb. 14 announcement from Bracco indicates that the recently FDA-approved, gadolinium-based contrast agent VUEWAY, also known as gadopiclenol, is officially being used for patients undergoing MR imaging.

February 14, 2023
#CTA #photoncountingCT #aortaCT

Photon counting cuts CTA contrast dosage 25%

Not only does the low-volume contrast protocol preserve supplies, it also protects patients who might be vulnerable to adverse reactions and/or side effects from contrast use. 

January 26, 2023