Much has been written in the scientific literature regarding the gadolinium chelate contrast agents, particularly about their overall safety profiles and their relative rates of adverse events.

To further explore these issues, Applied Radiology convened an esteemed panel of physicians with the educational support of Bracco Diagnostics Inc. The group met in Miami, Florida, on March 29, 2001 to discuss the role of the gadolinium-based contrast agents in the practice of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The results of that meeting are published here.

Dr. Lawrence Muroff moderated the meeting and began the presentations with an overview of the approved gadolinium chelates. Dr. Val Runge then presented a review of the literature focusing on the adverse events associated with these agents. Dr. Emanuel Kanal reviewed the safety of the gadolinium chelates, highlighting his institution's experience with all four approved agents. Dr. Lawrence Tanenbaum spoke about the newer, high-resolution applications and the use of power injection. Finally, Dr. Gerald Pohost discussed the role of contrast-enhanced MR imaging in cardiology.

It is hoped that this publication will lead physicians to a better understanding of the similarities and differences that exist among the four FDA-approved gadolinium-based contrast agents and help the reader separate the myth from the reality.