[Carbon dioxide angiography in EVAR: basic principles, indications and limitations]

Compared to open surgery, endovascular aneurysm repair has shown superior results in terms of morbidity and mortality. Therefore the 2011 published Practical Guidelines for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) demand an individual evaluation of every patient concerning an EVAR solution. To reduce the risk of contrast-associated complications such as severe allergic reactions hyperthyroidism or contrast-induced nephropathy with permanent loss of renal function, the use of carbon dioxide should be considered for every case. The imaging software solutions are part of the modern angiography technique and the imaging quality of CO2 angiography is equivalent or even better as compared to conventional angiography when the patient is appropriately prepared and positioned.