Gadoxetic acid

DB08884ApprovedInvestigationalSmall moleculeGadolinium-based Contrast Agent Paramagnetic Contrast Agent

Gadoxetic acid is a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) used with contrasted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect and visualize the liver. Gadoxetic acid (gadoxetate) is a paramagnetic gadolinium-containing ionic linear contrast agent in which its salt form, gadoxetate disodium, is used for intravenous injection.

Mechanism: Gadoxetate disodium is a paramagnetic compound and develops a magnetic moment when placed in a magnetic field. The relatively large magnetic moment produced by gadoxetate disodium results in a local magnetic field, yielding enhanced relaxation rates (shortening of relaxation times) of water protons in the vicinity of the paramagnetic agent, which leads to an increase in signal intensity (brightening) of blood and tissue.
In MRI, visualization of normal and pathological tissue depends in part on variations in the radiofrequency signal intensity that occur with 1) differences in proton density; 2) differences of the spin-lattice or longitudinal relaxation times (T1); and 3) differences in the spin-spin or transverse relaxation time (T2). When placed in a magnetic field, gadoxetate disodium decreases the T1 and T2 relaxation time in target tissue. At the recommended dose, the effect is observed with the greatest sensitivity in T1-weighted MR sequences.
Curator reviewed · 2 references
Primary indication: Gadoxetate is indicated for intravenous use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver to detect and characterize lesions in patients with known or suspected focal liver disease.Curator reviewed · 2 structured indications
Formula / weight: C₂₃H₃₀GdN₃O₁₁ · 681.75 g/mol (avg)
First approval: Canada, 2010 · United States, 2008
Also known as: Gadoxetate · Gd-EOB-DTPA
Brand names: Eovist
Primovist