25+ years of clinical use
May help mitigate risk of MARCE in comorbid patients1
Improved patient care
Iso-osmolar to blood to minimize vascular fluid shift
Isotonic to blood
Minimizing impact of differences in osmotic pressure
Helps reduce costs
Lower hospitalization costs due to shortened length of stay2
More than 1 in 7 adults in the US are estimated to have CKD, and most don't know it.3 34.2 million Americans - just over 1 in 10 - have diabetes.4 By 2060, 1 in 4 people in the US will be aged 65+, with the number over 85 years expected to nearly triple.5
Appropriate selection of contrast media for necessary diagnostic or interventional procedure imaging in high risk patients should be considered to help mitigate the risk of adverse events.6 Visipaque, an iodinated iso-osmolar, isotonic contrast agent indicated for multiple intra-arterial and intravenous procedures, was prepared with this in mind.
Interventional, structural, or endovascular procedures (e.g., TAVI, CTO, PCI) may need to use higher volumes of iodinated CM. Reducing the frequency of adverse reactions has therefore been a driving force in the development of these diagnostic agents since their initial introduction.6,7
Visipaque is a third-generation agent with a unique molecular structure developed to further improve the safety profile of iodinated contrast agents.8,10 It is iso-osmolar to blood with the aim of counteracting major fluid shifts across membranes and limiting discomfort.10,11 It is also formulated with balanced electrolytes to help minimize effects on cardiac contractile force/fibrillatory propensity.10,11 While 'low' osmolar agents form the mainstay in the general population of patients undergoing endovascular diagnostic or interventional procedures, Visipaque may be preferred for more complex procedures in patients considered at high risk for cardiovascular or renal insult.1,8
Introducing the flip top cap on our +PLUSPAK™ polymer bottles. This packaging facilitates opening the cap and is an improvement on the ring pull design. This new design helps reduce costs and environmental impact with less storage space needed and lower disposal costs.12-14 It helps to streamline processes and traceability through color coding, triple-tracking stickers, a 2D DataMatrix, and an integrated hanger with a label easy to read even when inverted.
When compared to total interventional procedure cost, contrast media is inexpensive but CA-AKI and contrast media-related adverse events may increase the use of health care resources and cost of care.15 Given the growth of vulnerable patient populations, practices that reduce CA-AKI incidence and its associated costs are important to identify.2
According to a study conducted to determine the net economic impact of switching from low-osmolar contrast media (LOCM) to iso-osmolar contrast media (IOCM; iodixanol) in patients undergoing inpatient coronary or peripheral angioplasty in the US, moving on to an IOCM-only strategy may yield substantial cost savings to US hospitals where coronary and peripheral procedures are performed.2
Randomized controlled trials often do not address all the clinical scenarios that confront physicians.16,17 Specifically in interventional cardiology, high-risk patients are often routinely excluded from revascularization randomized controlled trials (RCTs).18,19 Real-world data complement traditional clinical trials, with broader populations and health care delivery that reflects actual clinical practice.20
In the interventional cardiology setting, use of iso-osmolar Visipaque is supported by:
• Robust randomized controlled trials21-24
• Meta-analyses of intra-arterial studies25-27
• Real-world data from the cath-lab28
Enhancing interventional radiology procedural comfort is important for both patients and efficiency, as movement may necessitate studies being repeated or prolonged.29-31
A benefit of iso-osmolar Visipaque is the reduction in pain associated in arteriography.32 According to the ACR, iso-osmolar CM “...are associated with the least amount of vasospasm and the least peripheral discomfort for peripheral angiograms”.33
Learn more about supporting resources available for Visipaque.
Educational programs
Webinar: Acute Kidney Injury - Complications in the Cardiac Cath Lab
Contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) is a challenge that may be encountered in the cardiac catheterization lab. In this on-demand webinar, Dr. Arnold Seto, Cardiac Cath Lab Director, Long Beach VA, and Director of Interventional Cardiology Research at University of California, Irvine, discusses the increasing incidence with comorbidities and complex procedures. He talks about the implications of AKI as well as mitigation strategies. Dr. Seto also shares emerging data on AKI in COVID-19 patients.
Watch now
