title: Galactose-based intravenous sonographic contrast agent: experimental studies.
abstract: A galactose-based sonographic contrast agent, which produces stable microbubbles capable of traversing the cardiopulmonary circulation, was used to enhance Doppler signals in blood vessels of varying size after intravenous injection. A series of experiments using dogs, rabbits, and woodchucks was conducted to establish the ability of the agent to enhance the reflectivity of normal tissue, tumor tissue, and blood. Although no enhancement was perceptible in tissue on the sonogram, significant enhancement of color and spectral Doppler signals was demonstrated in a variety of vessels. These included the aorta, vena cava, and portal vein as well as such small vessels as those of the retina of the eye, renal cortex, liver parenchyma, and gallbladder wall. Both spectral and color Doppler enhancement was shown in naturally occurring woodchuck hepatomas. Peak Doppler signal enhancement after bolus injection was approximately 10 dB with a dose of 0.01 ml/kg. Recirculation of the agent provided enhancement after intravenous bolus injection for more than 3 min. With a steady intravenous infusion of 0.2 ml/min/kg, Doppler signal enhancement of about 14 dB was maintained continuously for more than 5 min. The results of these animal experiments, in particular in small vessels and with recirculation after intravenous injection, suggest excellent potential for future clinical applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107.
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Merton
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forsberg
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography; D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005690:Galactose; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008392:Marmota; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000009:adverse effects; D011817:Rabbits; D012078:Renal Artery Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C059891:SHU 508; D005690:Galactose