[Severe adverse reactions after the use of sulphur hexafluoride (SonoVue) as an ultrasonographic contrast agent].

European Medicines Agency (EMEA) recently took precautionary measures to limit the use of the ultrasonographic contrast agent sulphur hexafluoride (SonoVue) in patients with cardiac disease. Throughout Europe a number of serious allergic reactions with probable secondary cardiovascular problems have been reported. In addition to this, there have been 3 reports of a fatal outcome soon after the administration of SonoVue. For all of these patients there was a risk of serious cardiac complications as a consequence of underlying cardiac problems. In The Netherlands 3 anaphylactic reactions have been reported, two in women aged 59 and 70 years respectively, and one in a man aged 80 years.