Optison

Optison™

(Perflutren Protein-Type A Microspheres for Injection, USP)

GE Healthcare's Optison™, a leading contrast agent for cardiovascular ultrasound imaging, has been used to image the heart in the right-hand image in this series. The left-hand image in this series is an un-enhanced ultrasound image. Clinical studies have demonstrated improvement in LV endocardial border delineation in 93% of patients studied.

  • Proven image quality in more than 500,000 doses1
  • Clinical studies have demonstrated improvement in LV endocardial border delineation in 93% of patients
    studied2-4
  • A leading contrast agent for cardiovascular ultrasound imaging1

General Information

The most frequently reported adverse events with OPTISON were headache (5.4%), nausea and/or vomiting (4.3%), warm sensation or flushing (3.6%), and dizziness (2.5%). OPTISON should be administered with caution in patients with cardiac shunts, congenital heart defects, confirmed or suspected severe liver disease, small cross-sectional pulmonary vascular surface areas, or respiratory distress syndrome. OPTISON is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected hypersensitivity to blood, blood products, or albumin.

Product Description

Unenhanced ultrasound is a versatile, non-invasive, low-cost, real-time technique in widespread use by both hospital and office-based cardiologists. It is used extensively in the evaluation of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. However, results are frequently suboptimal of the endocardial surfaces and further assessment is often required. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound improves delineation of these surfaces.

OPTISON is a well-established, second-generation ultrasound medical diagnostic product. It has a robust capability to enhance both the image of the heart’s left ventricle and the delineation of the endocardial borders of the heart. Education and awareness of the benefits of contrast-enhanced ultrasound continue to expand the market. While there is still a tremendous amount of opportunity for growth, contrast enhanced ultrasound is gaining ground with more recognition in the cardiology marketplace.

References:
1. Data on file, GE Healthcare.
2. OPTISON Prescribing Information.
3. Mulvagh S, DeMaria A, Feinstein S, et al. ASE position paper: contrast echocardiography: current and future applications. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2000;13:331-342.
4. Cohen JL, Cheirif J, Segar DS, et at. Improved left ventricular endocardial border delineation and opacification with OPTISON (FS069), a new echocardiographic contrast agent: results of a phase III multicenter trial.J Am ColI Cardiol. 1998;32:746-752.