The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lumason (sulfur hexafluoride lipid microsphere), a new ultrasound imaging agent that will improve the visibility of echocardiograms that are affected by ultrasound waves. Lumason is a contrast agent that contains gas-filled microbubbles which improve image quality by reflecting ultrasound waves. The contrast agent is reported to especially enhance imaging of the left ventricle chamber and endocardium. "Sometimes echocardiograms in certain patients are difficult for physicians to see and interpret," said Libero Marzella, MD, PhD, director of the Division of Medical Imaging Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Today's approval provides doctors with another option when performing contrast enhanced ultrasound."

Keywords: Contrast Media, Diagnostic Imaging, Echocardiography, Endocardium, Heart Ventricles, Lipids, Microbubbles, Microspheres, Sulfur Hexafluoride, Ultrasonics, United States Food and Drug Administration

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