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.

'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.
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.

ASE recommends contrast agent usage in echoes

The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) has issued a consensus statement, supporting the use of contrast agents used to enhance echocardiogram images, and providing a guide for physicians who may be hesitant to use the contrast agents following a 2007 FDA black-box warning. The statement was published in the November issue of Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography.

November 13, 2008

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Imaging Contrast

'Critical' oversight of 7 factors increases contrast waste

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

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

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

Test bolus of diluted contrast optimizes scan timing during CTA

Around the web