Perflutren (2 brand names, 1 dosage form, 1 route)
Available dosage forms: INJECTABLE.
Routes of administration: INTRAVENOUS.
Brand Names
- DEFINITY
- DEFINITY RT
Boxed Warning
Serious cardiopulmonary reactions, including fatalities, have occurred uncommonly during or following perflutren-containing microsphere administration. Most serious reactions occur within 30 minutes of administration [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. Assess all patients for the presence of any condition that precludes OPTISON administration [see Contraindications (4)]. Always have resuscitation equipment and trained personnel readily available [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Indications and Usage
OPTISON is indicated for use in adult and pediatric patients with suboptimal echocardiograms to opacify the left ventricle and to improve the delineation of the left ventricular endocardial borders.
Contraindications
OPTISON is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected hypersensitivity to perflutren or albumin [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Adverse Reactions
The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Serious Cardiopulmonary Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
Mechanism of Action
The OPTISON microspheres create an echogenic contrast effect in the blood. The acoustic impedance of the OPTISON microspheres is much lower than that of the blood. Therefore, impinging ultrasound waves are scattered and reflected at the microsphere-blood interface and ultimately may be visualized in the ultrasound image. At the frequencies used in adult echocardiography (2 MHz to 5 MHz), the microspheres resonate which further increases the extent of ultrasound scattering and reflection.