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.

Contaminated CT contrast blamed for 8 patient hospitalizations
After several radiology patients were sickened following an injection of iodinated contrast, the hospital where the incidents occurred has revealed the culprit.
Lowest dose gadolinium-based contrast agent to date inches closer to FDA approval
Gadoquatrane is now set to go through the regulatory review process on its trek to earning full FDA approval.
Woman dies following severe allergic reaction to CT contrast
The 22-year-old patient was undergoing a computed tomography exam with contrast due to her history of kidney stones.
Fluorescent contrast agent noninvasively identifies common skin cancer
When used topically, the agent penetrates the skin and generates a fluorescent signal under the guidance of a fluorescent confocal microscope.
Bacteria-based contrast agent offers 'substantial improvements' for tumor border delineation during surgery
Essentially, the agent places a bright neon sign on the entirety of tumors and their borders, and it does so autonomously.

GE HealthCare Optison ultrasound enhancing agent

Cardiac ultrasound contrast completely safe, despite reports to the contrary

There had been a recent uptick in adverse reactions to contrast agents used in transthoracic or stress echocardiography exams, the findings suggest.

Unlike other UEA options, GE HealthCare's Optison does not contain polyethylene glycol. The FDA approved its use for adult patients back in 1997.

U.S. iodine contrast supply may not be subject to proposed 25% tariffs

If President Trump initiates a 25% tariff against pharmaceuticals imported from Ireland, it might impact the price for X-ray iodine contrast agents in the U.S. depending what rules are put in place.

ACR updates guidance for managing and preventing contrast media reactions

The new recommendations address discordance between the college and other organizations’ prior guidelines on the use of premedication.

Stanford Medicine the first to use imaging system that lights up tumor margins intraoperatively

The organization is deploying the LumiSystem, which uses fluorescent dye and a small scope to illuminate cancerous tissue in the breast cavity during lumpectomy surgery.

Could China's latest restrictions impact the supply of MRI contrast?

The ongoing trade war between the United States and China could jeopardize the availability of contrast agents used for medical imaging.

Experts may have discovered why some patients are more susceptible to GBCA-related side effects

A new study focuses on the role oxalic acid may play in the body’s ability to eliminate gadolinium after an MRI study.

The Agitation Solutions Orbis Microbubble Generator simplifies and streamlines the process of saline agitation and delivery for cardiac bubble studies using a single use syringe. It is was cleared for use in Canada in 2024.

Right heart cardiac ultrasound contrast agent for shunts enters U.S. trial

Currently there are no FDA cleared echocardiography contrast agents commercially available for use on the right side of the heart to detect shunts, but a new agent that promises to improve workflow and imaging is about to enter a U.S. trial.

Imaging Contrast

Contaminated CT contrast blamed for 8 patient hospitalizations

Lowest dose gadolinium-based contrast agent to date inches closer to FDA approval

Woman dies following severe allergic reaction to CT contrast

Fluorescent contrast agent noninvasively identifies common skin cancer

Bacteria-based contrast agent offers 'substantial improvements' for tumor border delineation during surgery