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Vasovist administration provides a clearer image in patients who are suspected of having blockages or other problems with the blood vessels in their abdomen or limbs.                        The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Vasovist Injection(gadofosveset trisodium), the first contrast imaging agent for use in patients undergoing magnetic resonance angiography, MRA, a minimally invasive test for examining blood vessels. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is another variation on standard MRI.

Vasovist is an injectable intravascular contrast agent designed to provide improved imaging of the vascular system through magnetic resonance angiography imaging (MRA).Vasovist administration provides a clearer image in patients who are suspected of having blockages or other problems with the blood vessels in their abdomen or limbs.                        

According to John Jenkins, M.D., director, Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA, "MRA contrast imaging agent provides clinicians with a much clearer scan of blood vessels, compared to MRA without contrast, even in vessels that are difficult to scan because they twist and turn in the body."  

When blood vessels are scanned using MRA without any contrast, radiologists are unable to interpret the images. As a result, radiologists have used X-rays to detect blood vessel abnormalities.  But it is a lengthy procedure, requires attaching needle into blood vessel to inject the X-ray dye and may result in injury to vessel walls, blood clots, allergic reactions and potential kidney damage. Vasovist is injected into a peripheral vein and no artery is punctured, thus the potential risks are fewer.  

The safety and efficacy of Vasovist was established in two clinical studies on patients with known or suspected aortoiliac disease-plaque buildup in the arteries going to the legs. In the studies, patients underwent MRA with and without Vasovist; MRA with Vasovist detected more arterial disease than MRA performed without Vasovist.

Vasovist is manufactured by a Massachusetts pharmaceuticals company. The active substance in Vasovist is gadolinium, a rare earth metal element that is detected by MRI scanners. When injected, gadolinium interacts with water molecules in the body, giving a stronger signal and, in turn, a better picture.