Comparative study of intra-Arterial conventional Angiogaphy and Intravenous digital subtraction angiography in peripheral vascular disease

Abstract

Peripheral angiography is an important dignostic technique for peripheral vascular disease. One of the major drawbaks of.conventional angiography is th'e fact that catheterisation of the vessels and direct arte- rial injection of CM can not be avoided and associated complications and patient discomfort are not negligible (Takahashi, eta\., 1983). IVDSA is safe and non-invasive and can be performed on outpa­ tients, since arterial puncture or arterial catheterisation is not used (Takahashi, et a\., 1983). IVDSA has certain limitations in peripheral angiography. First the size of Image Intensifier (II) now in use is mostly 12 or 9 in?hes in diameter and it is often necessary to inject twice or more to cover the area of clinical interest. Secondly, the spatial resolution is not as good as that of conventional angiography and development of collaterals and minor stenoses is difficult to visualise on IVDSA (Takahashi, et al., 1983). It is concluded that peripheral vascular imaging using venous DSA is inaccurate for major and minor iliac stenosis but reliable for arterial lesions in the femoral region. Also it is the method of choice where femora-popliteal disease is suspected clinically (Hall, eta\., 1985).