AI could reduce reliance on gadolinium for contrast-enhanced MRI
New artificial intelligence technology could reduce the amount of contrast required to produce diagnostic quality MR images, according to new trial data.
In partnership with Bayer, Subtle Medical—a company that specializes in AI-powered medical imaging solutions—announced positive results from the duo’s proof-of-concept study that is testing the potential of SubtleGAD, the latter’s latest AI solution. SubtleGAD is an AI algorithm that can be used as a complimentary tool alongside newer low-dose gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) to enhance MRI exams.
The algorithm was recently put to the test on a group of 39 patients who underwent two sets of imaging of the brain—one baseline scan with standard GBCA dosing and another using one of two investigational low-dose agents. The algorithm was used to synthesize full-dose contrasted images from the low-dose agent acquisitions, which were later compared to the baseline scans.
Expert readers determined the synthesized images from the low-dose scans were comparable to those using the standard dose. Contrast enhancement, border delineation and internal morphology of lesions were all visually similar in each cohort.
Ajit Shankaranarayanan, PhD, chief product officer at Subtle Medical, expressed optimism for the findings, suggesting the algorithm could play a key role in reducing reliance on GBCAs in the future.
"This study represents an important step forward in validating SubtleGAD as a tool to enable reduced gadolinium dose imaging without compromising quality," Shankaranarayanan said in the announcement. "For patients, this may mean reduced exposure; for radiologists, it may offer confidence that diagnostic information is preserved with less gadolinium dose."
These findings come as Bayer inches closer to achieving clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its latest take on a low-dose GBCA. The health sciences giant recently shared that the FDA had approved the company’s New Drug Application for its investigational GBCA, gadoquatrane, which uses 60% less gadolinium than the lowest dose GBCA currently on the market. If approved, gadoquatrane would become the lowest dose macrocyclic GBCA available in the U.S.
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In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.