MRI patients willing to commute farther for clinics that use low-dose GBCAs
Many patients are willing to drive out of their way to receive contrast-enhanced MR imaging at a clinic that carries lower dose gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs).
New data from Bracco Diagnostics highlight patients’ concerns about gadolinium exposure, especially among individuals who require multiple exams over time, such as those with neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis or patients who are undergoing cancer treatment. According to the data, the majority of these individuals are willing to make lengthy commutes to have their exams conducted at clinics that offer low-dose GBCA’s, such as Bracco’s Vueway (gadopiclenol).
The company surveyed 300 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced MRI to gauge their opinions on the use of GBCA’s as part of their care. Of those patients, 92% expressed preference for using a low-dose agent, with the same number indicating they would request a low-dose GBCA prior to their exam. What’s more, 91% suggested they would be willing to switch providers to access a lower dose GBCA, while another 92% said they would be willing to travel an additional 25 miles out of their way to do so.
Among patients with MS, who typically require repeated imaging, 78% showed preference for low-dose options, as did 85% of respondents who undergo frequent MRI scans to monitor breast cancer treatment responses.
"The availability of a [high-relaxivity] contrast agent that lowers gadolinium exposure without sacrificing imaging quality is a game-changer and a win for both patients and radiologists charged with their MR imaging care,” Todd Mulderink, MD, chairman of the Department of Radiology at Corewell Health Grand Rapids, Michigan, said in a news announcement about the data.
Vueway contains half the dose of gadolinium as other popular agents on the market. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September 2022; since then, it has been used more than 3 million times across over 900 sites, according to an announcement from Bracco.
"This milestone of 3 million doses highlights the power of combining safety, efficacy and patient preference in a single solution. We are grateful to the imaging community for their trust. Together, we are advancing patient-first care,” added Noelle Heber, executive director of the radiology platform at Bracco Diagnostics.
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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.