Optimizing Safety in Pediatric MRI: New Data, New Approvals

Dr. Steven Sireci, Executive Director, Medical Services at Bracco

Today, seven different gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are approved for clinical use in the United States. They vary by molecular structure, ability to interact with serum proteins, relaxivity, concentration, and stability. ProHance (gadoteridol) was the second GBCA to receive Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in the United States, and is a nonionic macrocyclic GBCA with a high degree of stability—providing an excellent safety profile.  In December of 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the indication of ProHance to include pediatric patients under two years old, including term neonates, to visualize areas with disrupted blood brain barrier and/or abnormal vascularity throughout the brain, spine and associated tissues. When imaging this very special patient population, it is important to optimize GBCA selection to balance Gd retention with efficacy.  During this session, learners will understand the current gadolinium based contrast agents on the market and pediatric approvals, review the current understanding of gadolinium retention and learn how indications and Gd retention profile can inform the choice of a gadolinium based contrast agent for pediatrics.

You will learn:
• Understand the current gadolinium based contrast agents on the market and pediatric approvals.
• Review the current understanding of gadolinium retention.
• How indications and Gd retention profile can inform the choice of a gadolinium based contrast agent for pediatrics.