Venography with carbon dioxide as a contrast agent

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and potential role of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a contrast agent for venography.

Consecutive patients with contraindications to iodinated contrast agents or with unsatisfactory iodinated contrast studies underwent CO2 digital subtraction venography. The images were rated by three experienced angiographers. Image quality and complications were assessed.

Over a 14-month period, 66 vein segments were studied in 21 patients. There was good correlation between experienced angiographers on CO2 image quality (Ri = 0.80) and good agreement on diagnosis (k = 0.62). In 91% of the vein segments evaluated with C02 there was interobserver agreement on the diagnosis. Upper extremity veins were adequately imaged with CO2 alone in all (6/6) patients with contraindications to iodinated contrast. Following suboptimal iodinated contrast studies in six patients, CO2 produced significantly better quality upper extremity central vein images (p < 0.05). Pain following injection into peripheral veins was the only CO2-related complication. Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters were successfully deployed with CO2 alone in 78% (7/9) of patients; two required iodinated contrast.

Based upon initial experience, CO2 venography can be recommended in patients with contraindications to iodinated contrast or unsatisfactory iodinated contrast studies.