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Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: July 21, 2011
Gadolinium-containing MRI contrast agents: important variations on a theme for NSF
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8042, USA. phillip.kuo@yale.edu
Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR
|January 9, 2008
Summary
Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) used in MRI scans vary in stability, influencing their risk of causing nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). More stable macrocyclic agents appear safer than less stable linear agents like gadodiamide.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Nephrology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are widely used in MRI.
- Free gadolinium is toxic and can cause nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF).
- GBCAs chelate gadolinium to improve safety, but stability varies.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the chemical properties of GBCAs.
- Determine the relationship between GBCA stability and NSF risk.
- Evaluate GBCA safety profiles.
Main Methods:
- Categorization of GBCAs by structure (linear vs. macrocyclic), charge (ionic vs. nonionic), and protein binding.
- Assessment of transmetallation, kinetic, and thermodynamic stability.
- Review of existing nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) case data.
Main Results:
- GBCAs differ significantly in stability and propensity to release free gadolinium.
- Gadodiamide, a linear agent, shows susceptibility to transmetallation and lower stability, correlating with more NSF cases.
- Macrocyclic agents are hypothetically more stable and safer regarding NSF.
Conclusions:
- GBCA chemical stability is crucial for NSF risk.
- Linear agents like gadodiamide pose a higher NSF risk due to lower stability.
- Continued vigilance and reporting of NSF cases are necessary, particularly for less common GBCAs.
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