[Preoperative intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography in aortoiliac vascular occlusion]

Sixteen patients with advanced aorto-iliac occlusive disease were examined with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) using intraarterial injection of contrast medium. The preoperative evaluation of the vessels distal to the occlusion and the visualization of the femoral and popliteal arteries were successfully performed with intraarterial DSA. As compared to conventional angiography the marked contrast enhancement of DSA is demonstrated. Less spatial resolution of DSA lacks importance as the herein discussed topic is concerned. The limited size (23 cm) of the image intensifier of the X-ray equipment used was a major drawback of the method. Using intravenous DSA aorto-iliac occlusion can be shown. In patients with long range vascular occlusion and sparse development of collaterals only intraarterial DSA can demonstrate the run-off vessels including the trifurcation of the popliteal artery.