Table 2.
US contrast agents with clinical approval
| Contrast agent | Shell content | Diameter range (µm) | Type of utilized gas | Creator | Place approved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Definity® [268] | Octafluoropropane (C3F8) | 1.1–3.3 | Lipid |
Lantheus Medical Imaging |
Canada and US |
| SonoVue® [269] | Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) | 2.5 | Lipid | Bracco Int | Europe |
| Optison™ [268] | Octafluoropropane (C3F8) | 2.2–4.5 | Albumin | GE Healthcare | US |
| Sonazoid® [270] | Perfluorobutane (C4F10) | 1.9–2.4 | Lipid |
Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co |
Japan |
| BR-55 [271] | Perfluorobutane (C4F10) | 1.5 | Phospholipid/lipo-peptide | BRACCO | Clinical trials in Europe |
| BR-14 [272] | Perfluorobutane (C4F10) | 2.0–2.5 | Phospholipid | BRACCO | Clinical trials in Europe |