Improved visualization of aortopulmonary collateral arteries by abdominal aortic compression during angiography

Increased filling of aortopulmonary collateral arteries occurs when the descending aorta is obstructed distal to their origin. We used this fact to develop a simple, safe technique for improving angiographic visualization of these arteries. The abdominal aorta is manually compressed against the spine during injection of contrast medium. A slight reflex bradycardia resulted, which probably also enhanced filling of the collateral arteries. In eight infants and children with either pulmonary atresia and a ventricular septal defect or truncus arteriosus communis, excellent visualization was consistently achieved without complication.