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.

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Imaging platform that illuminates residual breast cancer in real-time gets 'historic' FDA approval

LumiSystem enables surgeons to intraoperatively illuminate residual cancerous tissue in the breast cavity during lumpectomy surgery.

Should women pause breastfeeding after contrast injections? Survey reveals vastly different opinions

The recommendations differ between professional medical organizations and contrast manufacturers as well.

Outpatient study finds CT contrast is generally safe, but risk of adverse events varies with the seasons

A three-institution study of 473,482 patients found the risk of an adverse event following CT contrast increases in the summer and fall.

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FDA approves cardiac ultrasound enhancement drug for pediatric patients

The safety and efficacy for using Definity was backed by three successful clinical studies.

ACR updates requirements for on-site staff overseeing contrast administration

A clinician trained to manage reactions should be on-site at any imaging facilities doing contrast studies to maintain patient safety.

AI Imaging Contrast Development

National Science Foundation issues $1M grant to eliminate imaging contrast with AI

Case Western Reserve University researchers hope to make the diagnosis of cancer safer and less expensive.

Video of David Hur discussing how to overcome technical challenges in cardiac CT, which he presented on in sessions at SCCT 2023.

Overcoming technical challenges in cardiac CT

David Hur, MD, director of structural heart disease/interventional imaging at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, and an assistant professor of medicine at Yale, explains the technical challenges encountered in cardiac computed tomography (CT) and how to overcome them.

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Targeted training reduces certain radiologist errors when reading contrast-enhanced CT

Physicians can sometimes overlook low-contrast lesions, such as hepatic metastases or pancreatic adenocarcinoma, on computed tomography scans. 

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Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
A closer look at how FDA's flurpiridaz approval will impact nuclear cardiology

The newly approved PET radiotracer is expected to improve patient care significantly. “We have been able to reach the pinnacle of myocardial perfusion imaging with flurpiridaz," one expert said.

Cardiovascular Business
'This could be a paradigm shift': How PET with newly approved flurpiridaz compares to SPECT

GE HealthCare's flurpiridaz, the PET radiotracer that recently received FDA approval, offers several key benefits over SPECT. Jamshid Maddahi, MD, discussed the details in an exclusive interview. 

Cardiovascular Business
Ultrafast myocardial contrast echocardiography shows early potential to evaluate CAD

Ultrafast MCE could go on to become a go-to treatment option for obstructive coronary artery disease, according to the authors of a new first-in-human clinical study.

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