The FDA has approved Lumason, the microbubble contrast agent marketed by Bracco Diagnostics.
Lumason enables contrast-enhanced echocardiographic imaging and uses gas-filled microbubbles to reflect sound waves to enhance an image.
“Sometimes echocardiograms in certain patients are difficult for physicians to see and interpret,” Libero Marzella, MD, PhD, director of the Division of Medical Imaging Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a release. “Today’s approval provides doctors with another option when performing contrast-enhanced ultrasound.”
Lumason will carry a boxed warning about the risk of serious cardiopulmonary reactions, including fatal cardiac or respiratory arrest. These risks may be increased in those with certain heart conditions.
Evan joined TriMed in 2011, writing primarily for Health Imaging. Prior to diving into medical journalism, Evan worked for the Nine Network of Public Media in St. Louis. He also has worked in public relations and education. Evan studied journalism at the University of Missouri, with an emphasis on broadcast media.