It¡¯s used in 1CT scans, the 2dye that helps 3reveal when there¡¯s a problem.

¡°In my world this is a brain scan without dye. Now, take a look at what happens when you 4inject dye into the bloodstream. That area in the upper right corner that¡¯s a big white mass¡¦ 5turns out to be a type of 6brain tumor known as a 7meningioma. May have been hard to see otherwise.¡±

It¡¯s called IV contrast and can be injected into a patient¡¯s bloodstream to 8highlight different structures. But there¡¯s a shortage of the liquid and it¡¯s leading to hospital 9rationing and patient 10backlogs.

¡°Thousands of patients whose, whose scans are probably delayed as a result of this. They¡¯ll get their scans ultimately, but delayed... months, you know, that can mean a big difference.¡±

A hospital association estimates around half of hospitals in this country get contrast dye from GE healthcare¡¯s plant in Shanghai to perform about 20 million scans a year. However, that facility was forced to close during the city¡¯s two-month zero-COVID 11lockdown while the facility is now getting production back up to speed. It may be weeks before that supply reaches hospitals.

¡°It¡¯s going to create a, a pressure on the healthcare system to 12diversify these supply chains.¡±

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the supply is expected to continue increasing through June, with a return to stocking levels in July 2022.