A Contrast Ultrasound Agent is an intravascular contrast agent which does not leave the intact vascular bed because of its size (blood pool contrast agent) thus allowing the opacification of the vascular lumen.

With vascular CEUS it is possible to visualise the opacified vascular lumen as well as the vascular wall, which is a clear advantage compared to conventional angiography. This increases the accuracy in detection or exclusion of vascular abnormalities in cerebral, carotid or peripheral arteries.

A Contrast Ultrasound Agent can also be visualised in the microcirculation of parenchymal organs, resulting in an enhancement of the vascular compartment without extravasation into the interstitial fluid. This allows an improved characterisation of breast and liver lesions.