Safety of ultrasound contrast agents

Abstract

The use of ultrasound contrast agents has increased over recent years. The Contrast Media Safety Committee (CMSC) of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) decided to review the safety of ultrasound contrast agents in humans and to draw up guidelines. A comprehensive literature search and review was carried out. The resulting report was discussed by the CMSC of ESUR and at the 11th European Symposium on Urogenital Radiology in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, in 2004. Ultrasound contrast agents approved for clinical use are well tolerated, and serious adverse reactions are rarely observed. Adverse events are usually minor (e.g. headache, nausea, altered taste, sensation of heat) and self-resolving. These symptoms may not be related to the ultrasound contrast materials as they have also been observed in placebo-control groups. Intolerance to some components may occur. Generalized allergy-like reactions occur rarely. Ultrasound contrast agents are generally safe. The ultrasound scanning time and the acoustic output should be kept to the lowest level consistent with obtaining diagnostic information. Adverse reactions should be treated symptomatically.

Gene therapy progress and prospects: Ultrasound for gene transfer

“…Moreover, the MCB concentrations used in most animal studies are much higher than those licensed for echocontrast imaging in patients, which is important as the presence of MCB dose dependently reduces the threshold for ultrasoundinduced cavitation and associated bioeffects. 31,32,[75][76][77] This again emphasizes the need for caution and for a standardized format for reporting of USE conditions in the UEGT literature, so that comparison with the instantaneous USE parameters and total 'dose' pertaining to clinical examinations and other individual studies of UEGT can be made. The need for such a standardized reporting format has been recognized by the International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound, and a consensus statement on this topic is under active development.…”

Acoustic Attenuation by Contrast Agent Microbubbles in Superficial Tissue Markedly Diminishes Petechiae Bioeffects in Deep Tissue

“…While there are many reports indicating that contrast agent MBs have accrued an excellent safety record, [36][37][38] the Food and Drug Administration has recently requested labeling changes on Optison and Definity in response to complications in some patients. Although the topic of our study was MB-induced bioeffects, it is important to emphasize that our results should have relatively little bearing on these current discussions of contrast agent safety.…”

Color Doppler Ultrasonography in the Diagnostic Evaluation of Renal Allografts

“…Numerous (in particular cardiologic) trials have verified the practicability of contrast-enhanced echocardiography, specifically in the determination of cardiac perfusion. The safety of these procedures was recently summarized in a review [18]. Data from animal experiments on safety likewise indicate that renal damage was unverifiable [19].…”