Imaging of the digital arteries: digital subtraction angiography versus conventional arteriography

A retrospective study of 95 patients was undertaken to compare digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and conventional arteriography of the hand. Eighty patients had conventional angiography and 15 had DSA. In comparison with conventional angiography, DSA is more cost-efficient and facilitates outpatient angiography. It provides images as acceptable as those of conventional angiography. We conclude that intra-arterial DSA is now the procedure of choice for angiographic mapping of the digital arteries.