Abstract
Introduction: Ultrasound enhancing agents (UEAs) are often utilized to enhance ultrasound image quality; however, concerns about adverse reactions have limited their use. Moreover, these agents had been either contraindicated or are labeled with a warning in patients with intra-cardiac shunts because of a theoretic risk of systemic microvascular obstruction. This labeling was recently removed in the United States, but data in these patients are lacking. Methods: Over a 15-month period, patients receiving three different FDA-approved UEAs at our center were prospectively evaluated for clinically significant adverse events (AEs). Results: A total of 5521 UEA administrations were performed (Definity®: 3306, Lumason®: 2137, Optison®: 78). There were 14 AEs (0.25%) reported (Lumason®: 0.05% [n = 1] vs Definity®: 0.39% [n = 13], P = 0.02). Back pain was the most common complaint (n = 9), followed by headache (n = 2), rash (n = 2), dyspnea (n = 2), and palpitations (n = 1). Among the 33 patients known to have intra-cardiac shunts, there were no AEs. Known right-to-left shunts with positive saline bubble study were present in 20 patients (Lumason®: n = 9, Definity®: n = 11). Left-to-right atrial shunts based on color Doppler were present in 10 patients (Lumason®: n = 5, Definity® n = 5). Three patients were known to have ventricular septal defect with left-to-right flow (Definity®: n = 2, Optison®: n = 1). Conclusion: Adverse events were significantly higher with Definity®; however, overall incidences were low, and AEs were minor. Furthermore, no AEs were reported in patients with known intra-cardiac shunts. UEAs showed a good safety profile in our study and should be afforded to all appropriate patients, including those with known intra-cardiac shunts.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1041-1044 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Echocardiography |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2019 |
Keywords
- Definity
- Lumason
- Optison
- contrast agents
- echocardiography
- ultrasound enhancing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine