Ultrasound Contrast Agent Safe During Stress Echocardiogram

Research conducted at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center in Houston shows that the use of ultrasound contrast agents during stress echocardiograms is safe. These results, revealed at the 19th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Society of Echocardiography, come just months after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandated a black box warning on labels of contrast agents used for cardiovascular ultrasound.

The risk of major adverse effects is no different in patients that received contrast during their stress echocardiogram than in those who did not receive contrast, according to research findings. This held true even though contrast was more often used in patients with a higher cardiac risk profile.

source: Medical News Today