The safe
and accurate
measurement
of liver iron
concentration
Information for Patients
What
you
What
youneed
needto
toknow
know
What
is iron
overload?
What
is iron
overload?
“Iron overload”
is accumulation
the accumulation
much
“Iron overload”
is the
of of
tootoo
much
iron in the body. People receiving multiple blood
iron in the body. People receiving multiple blood
transfusions are at risk of iron overload because
transfusions are at risk of iron overload because
each transfusion has a high iron content. Patients
each with
transfusion
has aconditions
high iron are
content.
the following
often atPatients
risk:
with the following conditions are often at risk:
• Thalassaemia
• Thalassaemia
• Sickle cell disease
• Sickle
cell disease syndrome
• Myelodysplastic
• Myelodysplastic
syndrome
Iron overload can
also be caused by conditions
such as hereditary
haemochromatosis,
a condition
Iron overload
can also be
caused by conditions
that
involves
abnormally
high
iron
absorption
from
such as hereditary haemochromatosis, a condition
a person’s diet. Hereditary haemochromatosis is
that involves abnormally high iron absorption from
caused by an abnormal gene or genes that
a person’s diet. Hereditary haemochromatosis is
control iron absorption.
caused by an abnormal gene or genes that
control iron absorption.
Why is it important to measure
the amount of iron in the liver?
Why
is it important to measure
There are several reasons why it is important to
the have
amount
inassessed
the liver?
your liver of
iron iron
accurately
if you are
riskseveral
of iron reasons
overload:why it is important to
Thereatare
have your
liver
accurately(LIC)
assessed
if you are
• Liver
ironiron
concentration
is recognised
as
most
effective measure of your body’s total
at risk oftheiron
overload:
iron stores
• Liver iron concentration (LIC) is recognised as
The liver
is themeasure
main site of
where
is
the•most
effective
yourexcess
body’siron
total
stored in the body
iron stores
• Patients with elevated LIC have a greater risk
• The liver is the main site where excess iron is
of future complications
stored in the body
Liver iron concentration provides an early
• Patients with elevated LIC have a greater risk
warning of potential future complications in the
of future complications
heart and other organs and the early diagnosis
and management
of provides
iron overload
is important
Liver iron
concentration
an early
to
prevent
widespread
organ
damage.
warning of potential future complications in the
heart and other organs and the early diagnosis
and management of iron overload is important
to prevent widespread organ damage.
about
FerriScan. .
about FerriScan
® ®
What
WhatisisFerriScan?
FerriScan?
FerriScan
testtest
to measure
FerriScanisisananMRI-based
MRI-based
to measure
the
amount
of
iron
in
the
liver
(or
liverliver
ironiron
the amount of iron in the liver (or
concentration). The FerriScan result will provide
concentration). The FerriScan result will provide
your doctor with the accurate information they
your doctor with the accurate information they
need to help determine the most appropriate
need to help determine the most appropriate
treatment for your condition. For transfused
treatment
yourcan
condition.
transfused
patients
thefor
doctor
use this For
information
patients
the
doctor
can
use
this
information
to make decisions on:
to make decisions on:
• when to start chelation therapy
whentotoadjust
start chelator
chelationdose
therapy
•• when
when
adjust
chelator
•• the
besttoway
to deliver
the dose
chelation therapy
• the
best way
to deliver haemochromatosis
the chelation therapy
For
patients
with hereditary
FerriScan
can with
assisthereditary
with diagnosing
iron overload
For patients
haemochromatosis
and
identifying
patients
who
are
at
risk
ironoverload
FerriScan can assist with diagnosingofiron
induced liver damage.
and identifying patients who are at risk of iron
induced liver damage.
How does FerriScan work?
There are 3 simple steps:
How does FerriScan work?
1. An MRI scanner captures a set of images
There are 3 simple steps:
of your liver.
1. The
An MRI
scannerare
captures
set
of images
2.
MRI images
sent via athe
internet
of
your
liver.
to the FerriScan Service Centre where
2. they
The are
MRIanalysed.
images are sent via the internet
to thethe
FerriScan
Service
where
3. Once
analysis has
beenCentre
completed,
a
they are
analysed.
report
detailing
the amount of iron in your liver
sent to
doctorhas
(viabeen
the MRI
Centre). a
3. isOnce
theyour
analysis
completed,
report detailing the amount of iron in your liver
How
long
does
a FerriScan
take?
is sent
to your
doctor
(via the MRI Centre).
On average, it takes around 10 minutes to collect the
MRI images required for FerriScan analysis but this
can be quicker on some scanners. The results are
On average,
it takes
10 minutes to collect the
usually
available
within around
48 hours.
How long does a FerriScan take?
MRI images required for FerriScan analysis but this
can be quicker on some scanners. The results are
usually available within 48 hours.
Do
referral?
Do II need a referral?
Yes,
to obtain
obtainaareferral
referralfrom
from
Yes, you
you will
will need to
your treating
treating doctor
doctor prior
your
priorto
toattending
attendingthe
the
radiology (MRI) clinic.
radiology
clinic. Your
Yourdoctor
doctorwill
willneed
need
tospecifically
specifically request
to
request aa quantitative
quantitativeMRI
MRIliver
liver
iron test
test or
or ‘FerriScan’.
‘FerriScan’.
iron
Is it
it safe
safe to
Is
to have
have an
anMRI
MRIand
and
FerriScan?
FerriScan?
Yes. MRI is accepted as a safe, non-invasive
Yes. MRI is accepted as a safe, non-invasive
imaging procedure. MRI scanners use a magnetic
imaging procedure. MRI scanners use a magnetic
field and pulses of radio wave energy to take
field and pulses of radio wave energy to take
images, so there is no radiation exposure.
images, so there is no radiation exposure.
No contrast agent is administered during the
No
contrast
agent is administered during the
FerriScan
procedure.
FerriScan procedure.
Can anyone have a FerriScan?
Can
anyone have a FerriScan?
Before the scan, you will be asked some
Before
the to
scan,
youyour
will suitability
be askedfor
some
questions
assess
MRI
questions
to assess
your
suitability
for where
MRI
examination.
There are
some
instances
examination.
are some to
instances
it might not beThere
recommended
have an where
MRI
including
you are pregnant
or if you
itscan
might
not be ifrecommended
to have
an have
MRI
a pacemaker
or metal
scan
includingorif any
youelectronic
are pregnant
or if implants.
you have
doctor will
your suitability
with
you.
aYour
pacemaker
or discuss
any electronic
or metal
implants.
If youdoctor
have any
please
let the MRI
Your
will concerns,
discuss your
suitability
with you.
or concerns,
your doctorplease
know prior
to MRI
Ifradiographer
you have any
let the
undergoing
the
scan.
radiographer or your doctor know prior to
undergoing the scan.
Can my child have a FerriScan?
Children
of most
ageshave
will be able
to have a
Can
my
child
a FerriScan?
FerriScan. However, it may be necessary for
Children of most ages will be able to have a
them to be sedated during the MRI scan as
FerriScan.
However, itofmay
be necessary
shifting or movement
the body
can affectfor
the
them
to
be
sedated
during
the
MRI
as
accuracy of the FerriScan result. Yourscan
Doctor
shifting
or movementwill
of talk
the to
body
affect
or MRI radiographer
youcan
about
this the
accuracy
of the FerriScan result. Your Doctor
if it is required.
or MRI radiographer will talk to you about this
if it is required.
How frequently
frequently can
How
canFerriScan
FerriScan
be
used?
be used?
FerriScan is safe to be used repeatedly. It is
FerriScan
is safe to be used repeatedly. It is
recommended that you have a FerriScan once
recommended that you have a FerriScan once
every year to monitor the amount of iron in your
every year to monitor the amount of iron in your
liver if you are receiving regular blood transfusions.
liver if you are receiving regular blood transfusions.
How do I find out my FerriScan
How
do I find out my FerriScan
results?
results?
Once the FerriScan analysis is completed, the results
will be
sent
back to the
MRI centre.
The MRI the
centre
will
Once
the
FerriScan
analysis
is completed,
results
return
the results
to your
referring
doctor.
will
be sent
back to
the MRI
centre.
TheYour
MRIdoctor
centre will
will discuss
the results
withreferring
you.
return
the results
to your
doctor. Your doctor
will discuss the results with you.
Why you should choose FerriScan?
FerriScan
is theshould
world’s leading
liver ironFerriScan?
Why
you
choose
measurement technology which offers substantial
FerriScan
is patients.
the world’s
leading
liver iron
benefits for
These
include:
measurement technology which offers substantial
• Non-invasive - no longer require a liver biopsy
benefits for patients. These include:
• Accurate - serum ferritin tests do not provide an
• Non-invasive
- no longer
liverstores
biopsy
accurate measurement
of require
the bodya iron
• •Accurate
- serum
ferritin tests do not provide an
Can be used
repeatedly
accurate measurement of the body iron stores
FerriScan has regulatory clearance in the USA (FDA),
• Europe
Can be(CE
used
repeatedly
Mark),
Australia (TGA), New Zealand
(MedSafe) and Canada (Health Canada). As at 2008,
FerriScan
has regulatory clearance in the USA (FDA),
we have performed over 5,000 patient liver iron
Europe (CE Mark), Australia (TGA), New Zealand
measurements and FerriScan is available in over
(MedSafe) and Canada (Health Canada). As at 2008,
20 countries.
we have performed over 5,000 patient liver iron
measurements and FerriScan is available in over
Where can I get a FerriScan?
20 countries.
A list of FerriScan sites is available from our
website at www.resonancehealth.com.
Where can I get a FerriScan?
A list of FerriScan sites is available from our
website at www.resonancehealth.com.
Resonance Health Analysis Service Pty Ltd
Level 1, 216 Stirling Highway,
Claremont 6010, WA Australia
Website: www.resonancehealth.com
Email:
[email protected]
Phone: +61 (0)8 92865 300
+61 (0)8 9286 1179
DISCLAMIER: FerriScan provides a Liver Iron Concentration measurement
only and no other diagnostic information can be derived from the scan images or test results. Resonance Health Limited and its subsidiary companies
including its officers, employees, representatives and consultants use all
reasonable efforts to include up-to-date, complete and accurate information
in this brochure. Resonance Health Group, however, shall not be liable for
any loss, damage, or injury resulting from reliance on information provided.
Patients considering having a FerriScan should seek advice from their
physician in relation to their condition.
© Copyright Resonance Health Analysis Services Pty Ltd
MARCH 2009
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