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.

Low dose GBCA effective, safe for pediatric imaging
Although gadopiclenol is approved for adults and children ages 2 and older, there is limited data on its use in the pediatric population.
Bayer seeks FDA approval for gadoquatrane, its latest low-dose GBCA
The investigational agent uses 60% less gadolinium without sacrificing image quality, according to recent clinical trial findings.
FDA approves expanded use of 'powerful' lung imaging tool
The approval will make around 1 million more patients eligible to receive the specialized contrast, which enhances the evaluation of lung ventilation.
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.
FDA approves popular ultrasound enhancing agent for pediatric patients
Unlike other UEA options, GE HealthCare's Optison does not contain polyethylene glycol. The FDA approved its use for adult patients back in 1997.

Guerbet, Bracco partner on new lower dose gadolinium contrast agent for MRI scans

Gadopiclenol was shown to require 50% less gadolinium compared to other commonly used agents, according to Phase 3 clinical studies.

New scoring system spots patients at risk of contrast-associated kidney injury

Mount Sinai doctors presented their simple system during the American Heart Association's annual meeting.

Noncontrast CT a cost-friendly alternative to select late-stroke patients for thrombectomy

Using CT resulted in similar clinical and safety outcomes compared to advanced imaging, such as MRI and CT perfusion.

Warming up CT contrast agents raises radiology department costs and few clinical benefits

Checking the temperature of warming devices and maintaining equipment may not be entirely necessary, new research suggests.

AI combining contrast-enhanced and non-contrast CT accurately identifies brain metastases

The platform utilizing both image types detected cancer with a positive predictive value of 44%, beating out a contrast-only approach.

Delayed-phase contrast-CT scans can help detect early pancreatic cancers, study shows

Given pancreatic cancer is aggressive and challenging to treat, early detection is key to a positive prognosis, researchers explained.

AI carries ‘enormous potential’ to transform cardiac MRI, reduce scan times without using contrast

Virtual native enhancement produces higher quality scans compared to traditional modalities but without gadolinium-enhancement required.

AI automates radiologists’ decision to perform prostate MRI scans with or without contrast

Ideally, clinicians could weigh the pros and cons for each exam, but time is typically at a premium for radiology departments flooded with prostate scan requests.

Imaging Contrast

Low dose GBCA effective, safe for pediatric imaging

Bayer seeks FDA approval for gadoquatrane, its latest low-dose GBCA

FDA approves expanded use of 'powerful' lung imaging tool

Cardiac ultrasound contrast completely safe, despite reports to the contrary

FDA approves popular ultrasound enhancing agent for pediatric patients