Perflubron® is a perfluorochemical for use as an oral contrast agent. Due to its insolubility in water it does not mix with intestinal secretions; thus bowel lumina appear homogeneously dark on MR images when Perflubron® replaces bowel contents. Filled bowel loops appear black with all pulse sequences because the contrast agent lacks mobile protons.
It is commercially available as Imagent GI. Because rapid transit through the gastrointestinal tract it reaches the rectum within 30 to 40 minutes in most patients. MR imaging of the upper abdominal region should begin within 15 minutes and of the pelvic region 15 to 60 minutes after ingestion of perflubron.

See also Classifications, Characteristics, etc.

California-based research and development company. Alliance has several patents regarding 'microbubble' compositions such as Imagent® that are intended to enhance ultrasound imaging and Imagent GI as a gastrointestinal MRI contrast agent. Another product is Oxygent™, a synthetic 'blood substitute'.

MRI Contrast Agents:

• Imagent GI

Perfluorochemicals are fluorinated organic compounds. Perfluorochemicals can be used in gastrointestinal imaging as a negative contrast agent to reduce signal in the intestine. The MRI signal reduction is caused by the absence of mobile protons.
Perfluoroctylbromide (PFOB)(C8F17Br) is suitable for gastrointestinal use in humans; perfluorononane has been tested in animal models. PFOB is commercially available as Perflubron® (Imagent GI, Alliance). Benefits of this type of contrast media are biologically inertia, immiscibility with water, and a fast transit through the small intestine caused by low surface tension.
Fluosol-DA, a perfluorochemical emulsion has been tested in mice as a tumor specific agent for 19F-MRI.

See also Classifications, Characteristics, etc.