Strong Signal, Strong Bond
A High Relaxivity Gadolinium-based Contrast Agent
- Strong enhancement is based on multiple factors, including relaxivity and concentration1
- Stronger signal enhancement may improve tissue visualization in contrast-enhanced images1

A Macrocyclic Gadolinium-based Contrast Agent
- There are 2 structural classes of Gd-chelate complexes: linear and macrocyclic2
- Macrocyclic structure imparts added strength compared with a linear structure3
- At pH 5.3 and 25°C, the dissociation half-life of Gadavist® is 65 years, and at pH 7.4 the dissociation half-life is estimated to be >1,000 years2,4
Gadolinium Retention: Gadolinium is retained for months or years in several organs. The highest concentrations (nanomoles per gram of tissue) have been identified in the bone, followed by other organs (for example, brain, skin, kidney, liver, and spleen). The duration of retention also varies by tissue and is longest in bone. Linear GBCAs cause more retention than macrocyclic GBCAs. At equivalent doses, gadolinium retention varies among the linear agents. Retention is lowest and similar among the macrocyclic GBCAs.
Consequences of gadolinium retention in the brain have not been established. Pathologic and clinical consequences of GBCA administration and retention in skin and other organs have been established in patients with impaired renal function. There are rare reports of pathologic skin changes in patients with normal renal function. Adverse events involving multiple organ systems have been reported in patients with normal renal function without an established causal link to gadolinium retention.
While clinical consequences of gadolinium retention have not been established in patients with normal renal function, certain patients might be at higher risk. These include patients requiring multiple lifetime doses, pregnant and pediatric patients, and patients with inflammatory conditions. Consider the retention characteristics of the agent when choosing a GBCA for these patients. Minimize repetitive GBCA imaging studies particularly closely spaced studies, when possible.