Safety of ferucarbotran in MR imaging of the liver: a pre- and postexamination questionnaire-based multicenter investigation.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To prospectively investigate, by means of a pre-and postexamination questionnaire, the types and frequency of adverse reactions to ferucarbotran (Resovist), a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) contrast agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by the ethics committee of each of the institutions involved, and all patients gave written informed consent. One questionnaire asking about baseline symptoms before the injection of ferucarbotran, and one about adverse events over a period of seven days after injection were given to 315 patients who underwent ferucarbotran-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver at several institutions. The data for baseline symptoms were used for reference to exclude false-positive adverse reactions and were also compared with the adverse event data to determine with McNemar's chi-squared test the incidence of each symptom. RESULTS: Before MR examination, 249 clinical symptoms were reported by 102 of 315 patients (32.4%). After the injection of ferucarbotran, 169 adverse events were observed in 78 patients (24.8%). Eventually, 70 adverse events occurring in 45 patients (14.3%) were judged to be adverse reactions to ferucarbotran, defined as possibly or definitely ferucarbotran-related events. All reactions were of mild intensity. CONCLUSION: Ferucarbotran can be considered safe for clinical use in liver MRI.