title: Ultrasound contrast agents: updated data on safety profile.
abstract: Contrast echocardiography represents a major technological advancement in the constantly evolving field of cardiovascular imaging. Over the last twenty years numerous studies have been published, illustrating the incremental value of contrast implementation into a variety of clinical scenarios. However, serious concerns have been raised about contrast safety profile, mainly based on postmarketing observational data and several animal studies. The latter have investigated contrast bio effects under experimental conditions that are not consistent with daily clinical practice. On the other hand, numerous clinical trials with large registries have proven otherwise. Not only contrast agents are efficient, but they also demonstrate a remarkable safety profile. So the question is: should we fear contrast utilization or should we consider them as an adjunctive and indispensable clinical tool for daily bedside practice?
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University of Athens Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, Greece. caggeli@otenet.gr
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aggeli
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Felekos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siasos
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tousoulis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanadis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media