80912-9

LOINC code 80912-9 identifies "Gadolinium [Mass/volume] in Serum or Plasma". Due to its paramagnetic properties, chelated gadolinium is commonly employed as contrast media for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT) scanning. Gadolinium is eliminated primarily by the renal filtration. In healthy subjects with normal renal function, the plasma half-life of gadolinium is approximately 90 minutes. Patients with reduced renal function exhibit increased gadolinium excretion half-life and may be affected by nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). In this syndrome, prolonged retention of gadolinium is thought to allow the gadolinium cation to dissociate from its synthetic organic chelator and deposit predominantly in the skin, although other organs may be affected as well. These patients are often severely debilitated by progressive skin thickening and tightening. Fibrosis of skeletal muscle, lungs, liver, testes, and myocardium have also been observed, often with fatal results. Three hemodialysis treatments are required to substantially remove gadolinium from patients with impaired renal function; peritoneal dialysis is not effective.

This code measures Gadolinium in Ser/Plas. It belongs to the DRUG/TOX class in the LOINC classification.

LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes) is a universal standard for identifying laboratory and clinical observations. It is maintained by the Regenstrief Institute and used worldwide for health data exchange.