Gadofosveset (also known as Vasovist and Vasovist-MS) is a pharmaceutical drug used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is an injectable gadolinium-based contrast agent used to enhance the visibility of blood vessels and other tissues in an MRI scan. It is used to help diagnose and monitor diseases and conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and brain tumors. The drug has also been used to help diagnose heart disease, kidney disease, and other conditions. Gadofosveset is one of the few MRI contrast agents approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Gadofosveset was a gadolinium-based MRI contrast agent, but unlike the one you described earlier, it's no longer in production. Here's the breakdown:
- Type of drug: Gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) (discontinued in 2017)
- Trade names: Vasovist, Ablavar
- Uses: Used for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) examinations, particularly focusing on aortoiliac occlusive disease (blockage of the arteries in the pelvis and groin) in adults with peripheral vascular disease.
- Administration: Intravenous injection
Similar to other GBCAs, gadofosveset worked by binding to water molecules in the bloodstream, altering their properties and making blood vessels appear brighter on MRA scans. This improved visualization helped doctors assess blood flow and identify blockages.
Here's what makes gadofosveset different:
- Blood pool agent: Unlike some GBCAs that leave the bloodstream quickly, gadofosveset attached to proteins in the blood, causing it to stay within the bloodstream for a longer duration. This property made it suitable for MRA.
- Discontinued production: Due to commercial reasons, the manufacturing of gadofosveset stopped in 2017.
If you're undergoing an MRA procedure, it's likely your doctor will use a different type of contrast agent.