Drug updated on 4/16/2024
| Dosage Form | Injection (intravenous: Lipid-type A/ sulfur hexafluoride [25 mg/60.7 mg]) |
| Drug Class | Ultrasound contrast agents |
| Ongoing and Completed Studies | ClinicalTrials.gov |
Indication
- Indicated for use in echocardiography to opacify the left ventricular chamber and to improve the delineation of the left ventricular endocardial border in adult and pediatric patients with suboptimal echocardiograms.
- Indicated for use in ultrasonography of the liver for characterization of focal liver lesions in adult and pediatric patients.
- Indicated for use ultrasonography of the urinary tract for the evaluation of suspected or known vesicoureteral reflux in pediatric patients.
Summary
- Sulfur hexafluoride lipid-type A microspheres (Lumason) is indicated for use in echocardiography, ultrasonography of the liver, and urinary tract. It aids in opacifying the left ventricular chamber, improving the delineation of the left ventricular endocardial border, characterizing focal liver lesions, and evaluating suspected or known vesicoureteral reflux.
- Two studies were reviewed to gather information about Lumason's safety and effectiveness compared to other drugs/modalities.
- In adult patients with indeterminate renal masses, Lumason was highlighted for its non-nephrotoxic property, making it a safe option, especially for those with renal insufficiency or obstruction. This presents a significant safety advantage over iodinated contrast agents used in CT, which can be nephrotoxic.
- The drug showed high sensitivity rates, indicating a strong ability to accurately identify renal masses, thus suggesting high effectiveness in renal mass characterization compared potentially to CT and MRI where Bosniak classification is traditionally applied.
- For females undergoing assessment for fallopian tubal patency due to infertility issues, Lumason offers a minimally invasive option, likely associated with fewer complications and shorter recovery time, positioning it as a safer alternative than traditional methods like laparoscopy with dye.
- High pooled sensitivity and specificity values were noted when using Lumason during the HyCoSy procedure, implying refined accuracy without a significant impact from contrast dosage. This suggests that this drug could compare favorably against x-ray hysterosalpingography, considered standard, thereby marking itself as an effective agent in fertility diagnostics.
Product Monograph / Prescribing Information
| Document Title | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lumason (sulfur hexafluoride lipid microsphere) prescribing information. | 2021 | Bracco Diagnostics Inc., Monroe Township, NJ |
Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses
| Document Title | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Use of Lumason/SonoVue in contrast enhanced ultrasound of the kidney for characterization of renal masses - a meta analysis. | 2022 | Abdominal Radiology |
| Is hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (hycosy) using sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles (sonovue) sufficient for the assessment of fallopian tube patency? a systematic review and meta-analysis. | 2022 | Journal of Ultrasound Medicine |