Vasovist (MS-325) is the
first intravascular contrast agent approved
for use with magnetic resonance
angiography in the European
Union. Vasovist reversibly binds to
albumin, providing extended intravascular
enhancement compared to
existing extracellular magnetic resonance
contrast agents. Prior to approval,
Vasovist underwent extensive
testing to evaluate the safety and efficacy
of the drug; the clinical trials
program included blinded, placebocontrolled
dose ranging, efficacy in a
variety of vascular beds (AIOD, renal,
pedal), examination of potential
drug interaction with warfarin and
comparison with XRA. The clinical
trials show that Vasovist-enhanced
MR angiography is safe and welltolerated
in patients with vascular
disease, effective for the detection of
vascular stenosis and aneurysms,
significantly more accurate (both
more sensitive and specific) than
non-contrast MR angiography for the
diagnosis of vascular stenoses, and
similar to conventional angiography
for the overall characterization of
vascular disease, without the need
for catheterization.
Keywords MR angiography - Intravascular contrast agent - Arteries - Vasovist - MS-325