Ferrioxamine as a magnetic resonance contrast agent. Preclinical studies and phase I and II human clinical trials.

The preclinical and clinical trial experience with ferrioxamine (S-FDF; Salutar, Inc.) as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is summarized. The results in 44 patients or subjects show that the drug is safe and well tolerated when given intravenously. In certain conditions, early results show that the use of this contrast agent provides more information than can be obtained with MRI alone.