The safety profile of perflutren microsphere contrast echocardiography during rest and stress imaging: results from an Australian multicentre cohort.
BACKGROUND
Contrast enhanced echocardiography (CEE) is utilised when sub-optimal image quality results in non-diagnostic echocardiograms. However, there have been numerous safety notices issued by regulatory authorities regarding rare but potentially serious adverse reactions (AR). This multi-centre, retrospective analysis was performed to assess the short-term safety of CEE in a broad range of indications.


METHODS
All CEE performed over 58 months at three institutions were assessed for AR within 30 min.


RESULTS
A total of 5956 CEE were performed in 5576 patients. A total of 4903 were stress CEE and 1053 resting CCE. Bolus administration in 5719, infusion in 237 cases; 89.9% of CCE were outpatients. Commonest CEE indication was functional stress testing (82.3%). There were 16 AR related to CEE (0.27%). All AR were mild, transient and all patients made a full recovery. No cases of serious anaphylaxis or death within 30 min of contrast administration. Comparing those with and without an AR, there were no significant differences in age, gender, BMI, LVEF, patient location, exam type or RVSP. There was a slightly increased likelihood of an AR during infusion versus bolus dosing (p = 0.02).


CONCLUSION
CEE is a safe investigation in a broad range of indications and clinical scenarios. AR are very rare, mild and transient.
['Platts|David G|DG|', 'Luis|Sushil A|SA|', 'Roper|Damian|D|', 'Burstow|Darryl|D|', 'Call|Tony|T|', 'Forshaw|Anthony|A|', 'Pascoe|Roess|R|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D003287:Contrast Media D025401:Echocardiography, Stress D005260:Female D005466:Fluorocarbons D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008863:Microspheres D008875:Middle Aged D011446:Prospective Studies
Safety Contrast echocardiography Dobutamine stress echocardiography Exercise stress echocardiography Left ventricular opacification