Octafluoropropane
Octafluoropropane Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Mechanism of Action, How Long Does it Take to Work? Octafluoropropane is a brand name. Its generic name is Perflutren.
Octafluoropropane
Octafluoropropane is an artificial gas which is used in medical imaging procedures like echocardiography or ultrasonography. It is injected into the bloodstream to create images of the cardiovascular system. It is usually used to diagnose problems with the heart walls or valves. It is also used to monitor heart blood flow and detect certain types of heart defects or other abnormalities.
Uses for Octafluoropropane
Octafluoropropane is used to create imaging of the heart and the major blood vessels for diagnosis and evalution in medical conditions. It is mainly used to evaluate:
- Congenital heart defects
- Heart muscle diseases
- Valvular heart diseases
- Heart rhythm disorders
- Blood vessels blockages caused by plaques or embolism
- Heart tumors
Mechanism of Action
Octafluoropropane is harmless and does not interact with the body's tissues, instead of it simply reflects ultrasounds of the heart and blood vessels. When the gas is injected, it is detected by ultrasound images in three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound measurements. The 3D images generated during the procedure give the physician an internal view of the organs and blood vessels.
How Long Does It Take to Work?
Octafluoropropane starts working immediately, as it takes a few seconds to minutes to appear in the 2D-echocardiography and Doppler imaging. Depending on the size and complexity of the performed scan, it usually takes between 10 and 30 minutes to complete.
Absorption, Route of Elimination, Dosage, Administration
Octafluoropropane is a gas molecule which is rapidly eliminated from the body, most of the gas is eliminated within one minute of injection. Dosage is administered by intracardiac injection and is usually dependent on the weight and age of the person. The usual administered dose is 0.05–0.1ml/kg for adults and 0.06–0.2ml/kg for children. Perfluoro-expansion tissue, also known as PFO-PRX, is a form of perflutren that is used in cases where the heart needs to be visualized further than what can be achieved with 2D echo or Doppler imaging.
Side Effect, Toxicity, Precaution, Interaction
Octafluoropropane is generally well tolerated and has few adverse effects. The most commonly reported side effects are dizziness, nausea, headache, flushing, and chest tightness. However, serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, could occur, and the patient should be monitored and reported to the physician immediately. Toxicity is rare as perflutren is a non-toxic substance.
Octafluoropropane should not be used in patients with known sensitivity to perflutren, or in patients with respiratory or cardiac conditions that might be affected by the gas. Octafluoropropane should not be used if the patient is pregnant or lactating as safety and efficacy is not established. It is important to note that Octafluoropropane should not be used with contrast agents.
Food Interactions, Pregnancy Use, Lactation Use, Acute Overdose
No food interactions are known with Octafluoropropane. It should not be used in pregnant or lactating women, as safety and efficacy is not established. Acute overdose is unlikely, as the volume of the dose administered is extremely small.
Contraindication, Use Direction, Storage Condition, Volume of Distribution, Half Life, Clearance
Octafluoropropane should not be used in patients with known sensitivity to perflutren, or in patients with respiratory or cardiac conditions that might be affected by the gas. It should be stored at room temperature and away from direct light and heat. The volume of distribution, half life, and clearance of perflutren is unknown.
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