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FDA approved IC-GREEN (indocyanine green) for Fluorescence Imaging in Multiple IndicationsFDA approved IC-GREEN dye to help surgeons see blood flow and tissues during operations

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Key Takeaway
Consider IC-GREEN for intraoperative fluorescence imaging of vessels, perfusion, biliary ducts, and lymphatics in appropriate patients.

The FDA has approved IC-GREEN (indocyanine green) for fluorescence imaging across several surgical and diagnostic indications. The drug is indicated for visualization of vessels, blood flow, and tissue perfusion during vascular, gastrointestinal, organ transplant, plastic, micro- and reconstructive surgeries, including minimally invasive procedures, in adults and pediatric patients aged 1 month and older. It is also approved for imaging of extrahepatic biliary ducts in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older, lymphatic mapping in adults with cervical and uterine cancer, and ophthalmic angiography in adults and pediatric patients. The approval provides a standardized imaging agent for real-time intraoperative assessment, potentially improving surgical precision and outcomes. Dosing varies by indication, with a maximum total dose of 2 mg/kg. The label does not include clinical trial data.

Clinical Details (Mechanism · Dosing · Trial Data · Warnings)
Mechanism of Action

Indocyanine green is a fluorescent dye that emits fluorescence when excited by near-infrared light. After intravenous or interstitial injection, it binds to plasma proteins and remains intravascular, allowing visualization of vessels, blood flow, and tissue perfusion. It is also taken up by the liver and excreted into bile, enabling imaging of biliary ducts. In lymphatic mapping, it accumulates in lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels.

Indication & Patient Population

IC-GREEN is indicated for fluorescence imaging of vessels (micro- and macro-vasculature), blood flow and tissue perfusion before, during and after vascular, gastrointestinal, organ transplant, plastic, micro- and reconstructive surgeries, including general minimally invasive surgical procedures, in adults and pediatric patients aged 1 month and older. It is also indicated for fluorescence imaging of extrahepatic biliary ducts in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older, for fluorescence imaging of lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels during lymphatic mapping in adults with cervical and uterine cancer, and for ophthalmic angiography in adults and pediatric patients.

Dosing & Administration

For visualization of vessels, blood flow and tissue perfusion: adults and pediatric patients aged 1 month and older receive 1.25 mg to 5 mg intravenously (0.5 mL to 2 mL of 2.5 mg/mL solution). For perfusion in extremities through the skin in adults: 3.75 mg to 10 mg intravenously (1.5 mL to 4 mL of 2.5 mg/mL solution). For extrahepatic biliary ducts: adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older receive 2.5 mg intravenously (1 mL of 2.5 mg/mL solution) at least 45 minutes prior to surgery. For lymphatic mapping of cervical and uterine cancer: adults receive 5 mg interstitially as four 1 mL injections of 1.25 mg/mL solution. For ophthalmic angiography: doses up to 40 mg in 2 mL of Sterile Water for Injection intravenously. Do not exceed total dose of 2 mg/kg. See full prescribing information for reconstitution and administration details.

Key Clinical Trial Data

Not reported in label.

Warnings & Contraindications

Not reported in label.

Place in Therapy

IC-GREEN provides a standardized fluorescent imaging agent for multiple intraoperative and diagnostic applications, allowing real-time visualization of vasculature, perfusion, biliary anatomy, and lymphatic drainage. It may enhance surgical precision and reduce complications in a variety of procedures. The label does not include comparative efficacy data.

The FDA has approved a drug called IC-GREEN (indocyanine green) to help surgeons see important structures inside the body during operations. When injected into a patient, this dye glows under special light, allowing surgeons to view blood flow, bile ducts, and lymph nodes in real time. This can make surgeries more precise and possibly improve outcomes.

IC-GREEN is approved for use in many types of surgery, including vascular, gastrointestinal, organ transplant, plastic, and reconstructive procedures. It can be used in adults and children aged 1 month and older for most indications. For imaging bile ducts, it is approved for patients aged 12 and older. It is also approved for lymphatic mapping in adults with cervical and uterine cancer, and for eye angiography in adults and children.

The approval means that surgeons now have a standardized imaging agent that can be used across many procedures. However, the label does not include clinical trial data, so the evidence supporting its use may vary by indication. Dosing depends on the specific procedure, with a maximum total dose of 2 mg per kilogram of body weight.

If you are scheduled for surgery, talk to your doctor about whether IC-GREEN might be used in your case. This approval does not mean the drug is right for every patient or every surgery. Your healthcare team can help you understand the potential benefits and risks based on your individual situation.

What this means for you:
IC-GREEN is a new FDA-approved dye that helps surgeons see blood flow and tissues during operations, but talk to your doctor to see if it is right for you.

Study Details

Study typeFda approval
PublishedFeb 1959
View Original Abstract ↓
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE • Fluorescence imaging of vessels (micro- and macro-vasculature), blood flow and tissue perfusion before, during and after vascular, gastrointestinal, organ transplant, plastic, micro- and reconstructive surgeries, including general minimally invasive surgical procedures, in adults and pediatric patients aged 1 month and older ( 1.1 ) • Fluorescence imaging of extrahepatic biliary ducts in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older ( 1.2 ) • Fluorescence imaging of lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels during lymphatic mapping in adults with cervical and uterine cancer ( 1.3 ) • Ophthalmic angiography in adults and pediatric patients ( 1.4 ) 1.1 Visualization of Vessels, Blood Flow and Tissue Perfusion IC-GREEN is indicated for fluorescence imaging of vessels (micro- and macro- vasculature), blood flow and tissue perfusion before, during and after vascular, gastrointestinal, organ transplant, plastic, micro- and reconstructive surgeries, including general minimally invasive surgical procedures in adults and pediatric patients aged 1 month and older. 1.2 Visualization of Extrahepatic Biliary Ducts IC-GREEN is indicated for fluorescence imaging of extrahepatic biliary ducts in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older . 1.3 Lymphatic Mapping of Cervical and Uterine Cancer IC-GREEN is indicated for fluorescence imaging of lymph nodes and delineation of lymphatic vessels during lymphatic mapping in adults with cervical and uterine cancer for which this procedure is a component of intraoperative management . 1.4 Ophthalmic Angiography IC-GREEN is indicated for use in ophthalmic angiography in adults and pediatric patients.
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