Recent studies are deepening concerns over the increasing frequency of MRI procedures using MRI contrast agents, and their effect on patients with kidney disease.

New federal figures suggest that hospitals across the county are administering too many imaging procedures. In South Florida, 24 percent of patients who received a chest CT scan at Columbia Hospital in West Palm Beach actually received two. One scan was administered with a contrasting agent, and one without.

While contrasting agents in CT scan have not been in the news lately, those used in MRI scans are a growing concern. Gadolinium-based contrasting agents have been linked to nephrogenic system fibrosis in patients with compromised kidneys. Patients with kidney failure may not be in a position to quickly and efficiently rid their systems of the gadolinium, without the aid of dialysis.

If you have developed NSF because of gadolinium-based agents, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact a gadolinium attorney of Williams Kherkher by calling 800-761-3187.

A German pharmaceutical company announced the United States Food and Drug Administration has accepted its application for a gadolinium-based contrast agents.

Bayer Schering Pharma AG says the FDA has approved a new gadolinium-based MRI contrast agent called Gadovist, which is a non ionic agent. Gadovist has not yet been approved by the administration; the FDA has merely accepted Bayer's product application.

"If approved by the FDA, Gadovist 1.0 would compliment our portfolio of contrast agents in the United States," said Hans Maier, Head of the Diagnostic Imaging business unit at Bayer Schering Pharma. "This submission to the FDA is an important milestone for us."

Gadolinium-based MRI agents, like Gadovist, have been linked to severe health effects in people with kidney problems, most commonly the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

If you have developed NSF because of gadolinium-based agents, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact a gadolinium lawyer of Williams Kherkher by calling 800-761-3187.

General Electric has been accused of failing to adequately inform Danish regulators about a patient who died after being exposed to a gadolinium-based MRI contrast agent.

According to the Danish Medicines Agency, Birthe Madsen was given an Omniscan for an MRI in 2002 and she is now believed to be one of the first patients to have developed nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. In 2004, a government agency found that Omniscan was responsible for Madsen's condition and her death.

GE Healthcare was reportedly notified of the decision but did not immediately report the incident to the Danish Medicines Agency. The company, however, will not face any further action related to Madsen's death because the statute of limitations has expired.

GE denies that Omniscan causes nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

If you have developed NSF because of gadolinium-based agents, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact a gadolinium attorney of Williams Kherkher by calling 800-761-3187.

The United States Food and Drug Administration announced that it is asking manufacturers of gadolinium-based contrast agents to include a black box warning.

According to a statement released by the FDA, patients with kidney disease or chronic liver disease are at risk for developing nephrogenic systemic fibrosis when exposed to gadolinium-based contrast agents. Five contrast agents are implicated by the black box warning: Magnevist, Omniscan, OptiMARK, MultiHance, and ProHance.

The FDA has been aware of problems with gadolinium since June 2006, when the agency warned healthcare professionals about the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. A subsequent warning was issued in December 2006.

If you have developed NSF because of gadolinium-based agents, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact a gadolinium lawyer of Williams Kherkher by calling 800-761-3187.