Hypersensitivity Reactions to Ultrasound-Enhancing Agents: Prescreening, Recognition, and Management – SDMS

Ultrasound Enhancing Agents (UEAs) play an important role in improving image quality and diagnostic confidence in echocardiography. Although hypersensitivity reactions to UEAs are extremely rare, echocardiography laboratory staff should be prepared to recognize and appropriately manage these events to support patient safety. This activity will review the clinical presentation of hypersensitivity reactions and discuss how to differentiate them from underlying cardiac symptoms that may present similarly. Practical considerations for patient prescreening and implementation of appropriate response protocols within the echocardiography laboratory will also be discussed.

After completing this activity, participants should be better able to:

• Discuss the incidence of adverse reactions to ultrasound-enhancing agents (UEAs)
• Differentiate mild hypersensitivity reactions from more serious anaphylactic reactions as well as underlying cardiac symptomology that could mimic UEA hypersensitivity reactions
• Review emergency protocols to effectively manage patients with adverse reactions to UEAs
• Summarize echo staff’s role and responsibilities in optimizing patient safety in the echo lab

The target audience for this activity includes adult and pediatric cardiologists, sonographers, nurses, and other
healthcare professionals practicing in echocardiography labs.

This SDMS CME activity has been planned and submitted for approval of 1.00 hour of SDMS CME Credit Category AE by the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (SDMS).

Release Date: 02/15/2026 | Expires 02/15/2027

Faculty and Planner Disclosures:
As an accredited provider of continuing medical education, it is the policy of Northwest Imaging Forums, Inc. (NWIF) to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its activities. In accordance with this policy, faculty and planners must disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies. Any relevant financial relationships have been mitigated by NWIF to ensure the integrity of the CE activity. The planner has nothing to disclose.