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OPTISON gives your doctor an
easy way to view your heart.
Your physician has determined that an echocardiogram, with OPTISON contrast,
will be beneficial in evaluating your heart. OPTISON easily enhances
visibility
to provide a better picture of all the chambers of your heart. With better
images of your heart, further testing may not be needed.
How does OPTISON work?
OPTISON enhances an echocardiogram by highlighting images of the heart
seen on an ultrasound computer screen. When OPTISON contrast is given
to you, it is carried to your heart through your bloodstream. OPTISON
lights up the chambers of the heart, providing your physician with a better
view of muscles and valves moving and blood flowing within the heart.
How is an OPTISON echocardiogram performed?
OPTISON is easily prepared. A qualified medical professional starts an
IV in a vein in your arm and injects OPTISON through an IV tube. Then
your ultrasound technologist performs an echocardiogram, or ultrasound
examination, of your heart by moving a small device on the surface of
your chest. This device captures images of your heart in motion. Ultrasound
imaging is painless and usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes.
How will I feel during and after the examination?
OPTISON has been proven safe and well tolerated at recommended doses.
Infrequently, mild side effects occur. Should you feel any side effects,
such as slight headache or a warm sensation during the procedure, inform
your nurse or technologist. If your feel anything after your examiniation,
contact your physician.
What is in OPTISON?
OPTISON is made of gas bubbles and protein commonly used in hospitals
for 50 years. The gas is eliminated by the lungs, and the protein is eliminated
by the liver; this occurs naturally, without you being aware of it. OPTISON
has a favorable safety profile and does not contain any fatty products
that can be stored in the liver, so you should have no aftereffects.
Why do you need a contrast echo?
Your physician has made the decision to use OPTISON contrast with your
echocardiogram based on your physical characteristics, your medical history,
and your response to previous examinations of your heart.
Who should not receive OPTISON?
OPTISON is not made for use with everyone. If you have an allergy to blood,
blood products, or albumin, or if you suspect you may have disease that
affects the liver or lungs, inform your medical professional before the
procedure.
Please note that this information is provided for
educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for informed
medical advice. The user of this site should not use this information
to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with
a qualified health care provider.
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