title: Safety of Sulfur Hexafluoride Microbubbles in Sonography of Abdominal and Superficial Organs: Retrospective Analysis of 30,222 Cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety of the sulfur hexafluoride microbubble contrast agent SonoVue (Bracco SpA, Milan, Italy) and to implement precautions with the intent of further improving the safety of this contrast agent.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 30,222 patients undergoing contrast-enhanced sonography of abdominal and superficial organs in our hospital from January 2005 to December 2014 were retrospectively investigated. SonoVue was used as the ultrasound contrast agent. The symptoms and treatments of adverse reactions occurring during the contrast-enhanced sonographic examinations were reviewed and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No patient died as a result of any adverse reaction. Six patients (0.020%) had adverse reactions of varying degrees, including 2 patients (0.007%) who had signs of early anaphylactic shock (chest tightness, palpitations, sweating, and rapid and weak pulse, followed by cyanosis, a disappearing pulse, and a drop in blood pressure) that improved after active rescue. The remaining 4 patients developed the following: redness and a rash on the arm above the injection site, nasal bleeding and nausea, nausea and vomiting, and back pain with numbness of the lips and limbs. Symptoms in these 4 patients self-resolved after a period of rest.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Contrast-enhanced sonography with sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles had good clinical safety, but rare adverse reactions were observed. A comprehensive emergency plan and rescue measures for adverse reactions should be prepared and made available to minimize the occurrence of negative clinical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Chunlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Kejing
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Yanli
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Xiaozhou
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Zhaohui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Qiangwei
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zou
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D045423:Microbubbles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride
keywords: adverse reactions; contrast-enhanced sonography; general and abdominal ultrasound; safety; sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles; ultrasound contrast agent