VARIBAR products for MBS studies ... and remove uncertainty from the mix with standard formulations1-4,7-11
The only premixed, premeasured, and precise barium formulations for MBS studies that may:
- Reduce preparation time and wasted materials
- Avoid undesirable coating inherent to traditional GI barium preparations2-5
- Support high-quality imaging3
- Enable reproducible results2-5
Simple to use, the VARIBAR products are the only barium product line with standardized barium concentration and viscosity ranges, which come premeasured and premixed*, eliminating the potential for variability in results.
VARIBAR products provide unmatched convenience with reproducible results. To ensure every issue was addressed, the VARIBAR product line was developed in cooperation with speech language pathologists.
COATING FACTOR
The VARIBAR product line is specifically formulated with the minimal coating properties necessary to clearly visualize the dynamic swallowing process. Other barium contrast agents are formulated to maximize the mucosal coating needed for standard GI studies.
UNIFORM OPACIFICATION
Uniform opacification is important for consistent visualization. VARIBAR products offer a standard 40% w/v ratio of barium sulfate concentration across the product line, helping to ensure a uniform density in each product. In turn, you get the same visualization from each swallowing event, test after test, no matter what viscosity level.
| Standardized viscosity ranges correlate with thickened fluids and foods |
| Product |
Viscosity range* |
| VARIBAR® THIN LIQUID BARIUM SULFATE SUSPENSION (40% w/v after reconstitution) (Target Viscosity 4 CPS)✝ |
< 15 cps |
| VARIBAR® NECTAR (barium sulfate) oral suspension |
< 150-450 cps |
| VARIBAR® THIN HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension |
800-1800 cps |
| VARIBAR® HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension |
2500-3500 cps |
| VARIBAR® PUDDING (barium sulfate) oral paste |
4500-7000 cps |
*Quoted viscosity ranges are accurate only when viscosities are measured at 30 sec.-1 min. at 25°C.
✝VARIBAR THIN LIQUID BARIUM SULFATE SUSPENSION (40% w/v after reconstitution) (Target Viscosity 4 CPS)✝ is supplied as a powder and constituted to a standard volume with water.
TASTE & TEXTURE
Patient acceptance is always a concern when dealing with MBS studies. Some barium preparations taste unpleasant, and resistance among patients is high, possibly compromising swallowing.
With VARIBAR products, each viscosity is formulated to provide pleasant, easily tolerated flavors, textures and consistencies to help elicit normal salivation and a more natural swallowing action. The pleasing apple and vanilla flavors help increase patient acceptance and compliance.
PREPARATION TIME & WASTE
VARIBAR (barium sulfate) 40% (w/v) is ready to use.* It eliminates the need to mix liquids with barium powders, pastes, and thickening agents. Your preparation time and overall waste of materials are reduced, as are expenditures over time.
ONE STANDARD. LESS UNCERTAINTY.
With standardized barium concentration and viscosity ranges, VARIBAR products reduce uncertainty, provide more consistent results, and increase patient acceptance.
THE IMPORTANCE OF STANDARDIZATION
Universal standards for swallowing evaluation, measurement and reporting methods currently don’t exist, leading many to see the MBS study as subjective.
The general consensus among healthcare professionals is that there has been no universally accepted, reliable, and clinically practical method for capturing swallowing impairment and comparing the results of MBS studies between clinics, research laboratories, and pre- and post-treatment testing. It is critical to develop a consistent method of testing to provide increased continuity and uniformity in MBS studies. The VARIBAR product line can help standardize testing, unlike anything else available today.
✝VARIBAR THIN LIQUID BARIUM SULFATE SUSPENSION, (40% w/v after reconstitution) (Target Viscosity 4 CPS) is supplied as a powder and constituted to a standard volume with water.
1. Hazelwood, R.J., Armeson, K.E., Hill, E.G., Bonila, H.S., Martin-Harris, B. (2017). Identification of swallowing tasks from a modified barium swallow study that optimize the detection of physiologic impairment. Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research, 1-9. Doi.org/10.1044/2017_JSLHR-S-16-0117. 2. Robbins J, Nicosia M, Hind JA, Gill GD, Blanco R, Logemann J. Defining physical properties of fluids for dysphagia evaluation and treatment. ASHA, Special Interest Division 13. Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) Newsletter. 2002;11(2):16-19. 3. Steele CM, Barbon C, Namasivayam A. Best Practices in Videofluoroscopy. Dysphagia Cafe. Accessed June 10, 2016. 4. Hind J, Divyak E, Zielinski J, et al. Comparison of standardized bariums with varying rheological parameters on swallowing kinematics in males. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012;49(9):1399 1401. 5. Steele CM, Molfenter SM, Péladeau-Pigeon M, Stokely S. Challenges in preparing contrast media for videofluoroscopy. Dysphagia. 2013;28(3):464-467. doi:10.1007/s00455-013-9476-7 6. Martin-Harris, B., (2015) Standardized Training in Swallow Physiology – Evidence-Based Assessment Using the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) Approach. Gaylord, MI, Northern Speech Services. 7. VARIBAR® THIN LIQUID BARIUM SULFATE SUSPENSION (40% w/v after reconstitution) (Target Viscosity 4 CPS) full Prescribing Information. Monroe Twp., NJ: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; March 2017. 8. VARIBAR® NECTAR (barium sulfate) oral suspension full Prescribing Information. Monroe Twp., NJ: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; February 2018 9. VARIBAR® THIN HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension full Prescribing Information. Monroe Twp., NJ: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; January 2018. 10. VARIBAR® HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension full Prescribing Information. Monroe Twp., NJ: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; March 2018. 11. VARIBAR® PUDDING (barium sulfate) oral paste full Prescribing Information. Monroe Twp, NJ: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; Oct. 2016.
