Indocyanine Green

Indocyanine Green (ICG) is a medical substance used in diagnostic procedures and surgeries. It is a water-soluble, organic dye with a distinctive green fluorescence, making it an effective tracer for various imaging techniques. ICG is derived from the chemical structure of indigoid dyes and has been widely used for more than half a century.
One of the primary uses of Indocyanine Green is in the evaluation of hepatic function and biliary tract patency. It is administered intravenously, and its fluorescence allows for real-time visualization of the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts. This aids in diagnosing conditions such as liver disease, gallstones, and biliary obstructions.
In addition to its use in hepatobiliary imaging, ICG is also employed in various ophthalmic procedures. For instance, it is used to assess retinal perfusion and detect choroidal neovascularization in conditions like age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Furthermore, it is utilized in ophthalmic surgeries, such as phacoemulsification and corneal transplantation, to assess the integrity of the blood-aqueous barrier and monitor the progress of the procedure.
Indocyanine Green is also employed in cardiology to assess myocardial blood flow and viability. It is administered intravenously, and its fluorescence enables the detection of regional differences in blood flow, helping to identify areas of ischemia and infarction.