Abbott announced that its FreeStyle Libre 2 and 3 systems can now be worn during common imaging procedures, such as X-rays, CT scans and MRIs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the removal of the imaging contraindication, making Abbott’s systems the first and only patient-applied continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors approved for these screenings.
People who use FreeStyle Libre 2 and 3 systems rely on their CGM sensors to make important decisions about their diabetes, including when to take insulin. They will no longer have to remove and discard their CGM sensor before its wear time has ended, providing them with increased convenience and the potential to save money.
"For people with diabetes, especially those using insulin, removing a CGM sensor for long periods can be problematic," said Carol Wysham, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine and section head of the department of diabetes and endocrinology at Rockwood Clinic in Spokane. "Previously, patients had to remove their sensors during these procedures, resulting in several hours without critical data, especially if they didn’t have a replacement sensor. The removal of the imaging contraindication from Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 2 and 3 systems is a big win for patients, allowing them to keep their sensors on and avoid lost data."
Diabetes can cause complications like cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, and infections3. Imaging procedures are often part of diabetes care: X-rays detect bone injuries, CT scans identify kidney stones and blood clots, and MRIs provide detailed images of organs and tissues to identify issues such as brain injuries, ischemic heart disease and fatty liver disease4,5.
Abbott rigorously tested its FreeStyle Libre 2 and 3 systems sensors to ensure they remain effective after radiologic procedures*. This testing led the FDA to clear the removal of the contraindication requirement, with no changes made to the sensor.
"Continuous glucose monitoring is essential for diabetes management," said Anila Bindal, M.D., associate medical director for Abbott's diabetes care business. "We’ve seen first-hand how consistent use of Libre technology benefits people living with diabetes. This contraindication removal aligns with Abbott’s commitment to provide easy, convenient, and affordable technology for diabetes management."
