Assessment of peripheral blood flow in man by video dilution technique: a preliminary report

Video dilution technique is now available for clinical use in evaluating patients with peripheral vascular disease. The measurements can easily be performed in any modern angiographic suite. The only additional equipment required is a videodensitometer, video tape recorder, and a strip chart recorded. The new technique has been developed and tested in a hydrodynamic model and compared to volumetric flows. Further, the video dilution technique has been compared to electromagnetic flow readings using a canine model to measure the cerebral, renal, splanchnic, and extremity circulation and has proven to be extremely accurate (n = 389; r = 0.99). By applying the technique to patients with peripheral vascular disease, it is possible to evaluate the hemodynamic significance of stenotic lesions and arteriovenous shunts. Other uses of video dilution technique include evaluating the effects of vasoactive drugs and the adequacy of transluminal angioplasty.