The safety of deFinity and Optison for ultrasound image enhancement: a retrospective analysis of 78,383 administered contrast doses.

Background: The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to define the incidence of severe adverse events after exposure to ultrasound contrast agents.

Methods: Data between January 1, 2001, and September 30, 2007, were collected using invited responses to an on-line web-based questionnaire from 1 general and 12 cardiac ultrasound laboratories. During a period of 4.