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.

Bayer's new CT contrast injection system earns FDA clearance.

New contrast injection system inks FDA clearance

The system can be set up in as little as two minutes and needs just 20 seconds to prime in between patients. 

'Critical' oversight of 7 factors increases contrast waste

Since the onset of the iodinated contrast shortage in 2022, countless tactics have been deployed to optimize use of the imaging agent, but many have been overlooked.

Banner ASC in Sun City, Arizona.

Two years after the contrast shortage, how have supply preservation tactics fared?

During an initial three-month intervention period, one health system estimates that its saved nearly 750,000 mL of contrast. Now, experts from the organization are sharing whether those changes stuck after the shortage ended.

'One-stop-shop' CT stroke protocol reduces scan time, contrast dose and radiation exposure

The protocol integrates CT angiography of the head and neck with the tomography perfusion acquisition, eliminating the need for two separate scans.

Using high concentration contrast media reduces patients' pain and discomfort during injections

While most safety considerations associated with contrast injections, like hypersensitivity reactions and extravasation, rarely become reality, pain at the injection site is much more common.

Test bolus of diluted contrast optimizes scan timing during CTA

It also reduces iodine uptake and radiation dose in patients, without sacrificing image quality.

Contrast protocols based on lean body weight save supplies, reduce patient risk

Adjusting contrast dose based on a patient’s lean body weight provides the same image quality as other administration methods, new data show.

The feasibility of reduced contrast flow rates in PE studies

Around one out of every 1,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism every year, but even more undergo imaging to rule out clots.  

Around the web

GE HealthCare said the price of iodine contrast increased by more than 200% between 2017 to 2023. Will new Chinese tariffs drive costs even higher?

These risks appear to be present regardless of a person's age or health at the time of infection.

Agfa and Sectra both performed well with end-user satisfaction scores in the 2025 Best in KLAS list of radiology IT systems.