Gadolinium might be an alternative, stop-gap solution for interventional procedures during the current iodine contrast shortage.

“We need to commit to changing the supply chain so that a single event in a faraway country does not put us in this predicament again," experts wrote in a new special report shared by Radiology.

The COVID lockdowns at the Shanghai plant began on March 31, and although the plant there has since resumed operations, they are not yet at 100% capacity.

APP volume and share of image-guided paracentesis increased from 10.2% to 15.8%, and from 7.7% to 12.9% for thoracentesis, while Medicare reimbursement for both procedures has seen a reduction since 2012.

Experts arrived at this conclusion after analyzing 4.67 million chest radiographs on patients with suspected pneumonia.

An overview for the coming January 2023 mandate to use clinical decision support for all advanced imaging orders.

With the shortage, which pertains specifically to all formulations and concentrations of GE Healthcare’s Omnipaque (iohexol), expected to last until mid-June, several organizations have alluded that conservation efforts are of critical importance.

All formulations and concentrations of GE Healthcare’s Omnipaque (iohexol) are expected to be in short supply until mid-June due to COVID lockdowns where the contrast is manufactured.