Cardiac digital angiography: applications in ventriculography and coronary arteriography

Clearly, computer-based digital subtraction offers several advantages over conventional approaches to contrast angiography. Using the newer method, in many situations contrast loads can be beneficially reduced, radiation exposure can be markedly diminished, and right ventricle evaluations can be simplified. In addition, storage of data on magnetic tape is less space consuming, and less costly, than storage on film. Over the 5- to 10-year life expectancy of a digitally equipped laboratory, these advantages probably justify the 30-50% increase in the initial monetary outlay for equipment in excess of that required for a conventionally equipped laboratory. However, the greatest promise of digital angiography is in the area of coronary arteriography. If three-dimensional reconstruction of coronary lesions and determination of regional flow can be effected, important advances in diagnosis and in prognostication theoretically might be expected, leading to more appropriate selection of therapy for individual patients than now can be achieved. However, currently available information does not yet indicate the extent to which such potential advantages will be realized. Thus, it will be several years before we will know whether the exciting potential of digital angiography in this area can be reached.