[Intravenous digital subtraction angiography for imaging pulmonary vessels]

The experience in venous digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the pulmonary vessels is presented in order to evaluate the new method. The results of angiographic examinations in 30 patients could be classified as follows: embolic lung disease (n = 13), atelectatic disease of left lower lobe (n = 3), findings of arteritis in right upper lobe (n = 1), arteriographic alterations due to chronic pulmonary emphysema (n = 2), normal lung vessels (n = 10), and failure of examination (n = 1). Using this new angiographic method it was possible to analyze embolic clots in the subsegmental arteries and total occlusions of the peripheral small vessels. The advantage of DSA compared with the conventional technique is evident: No complications due to transcardial catheters, short examination period, easy handling of the technique, and small number of images.