title: Adverse reactions after the use of sulphur hexafluoride (SonoVue) echo contrast agent.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to analyse the adverse effects of SonoVue echo contrast in a consecutive series of 352 cardiac patients during a 4-year period. During 352 consecutive cardiac SonoVue studies, seven patients (2.0%) experienced adverse effects. Four patients (1.1%) had mild allergic reactions causing skin erythema and mild sinus tachycardia, and three patients (0.9%) experienced a severe allergic reaction resulting in (nonfatal) shock. The reported incidence of adverse effects of SonoVue echo contrast in this consecutive series of cardiac patients seems markedly higher than those reported in a company postmarketing analysis.
authors.affiliation: Erasmus Medical Center, Thoraxcenter Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marcel L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Geleijnse
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nemes
authors.forename: Wim B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Vletter
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michels
authors.forename: Osama I I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Soliman
authors.forename: Kadir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Caliskan
authors.forename: Tjebbe W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Galema
authors.forename: Folkert J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: ten Cate
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004890:Erythema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; D010952:Plasma Substitutes; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride