[Transbrachial arterial catheter angiography. Technique, indications, complications]
Related Experiment Videos
A Lienemann1, K Werle, F Weigert
1Abteilung für Röntgendiagnostik und Nuklearmedizin, Städtisches Krankenhaus München-Neuperlach.
Insights
Transbrachial arterial angiography is a safe alternative when transfemoral access fails in vascular surgery patients. This technique offers advantages over other approaches for evaluating the aorta and leg arteries.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Interventional Radiology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Context:
- Arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is a key diagnostic tool in vascular surgery.
- A transfemoral approach is the standard for DSA but is not always feasible.
- In 9% of cases, transfemoral access was not possible, necessitating alternative methods.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transbrachial arterial angiography as an alternative to transfemoral DSA.
- To assess the suitability of transbrachial DSA for specific anatomical regions and interventional procedures.
Summary:
- Transbrachial arterial angiography was electively performed in 142 patients when transfemoral access was not possible.
- The transbrachial approach, using 4-F or 5-F catheters, was found to be a safe and reliable alternative.
- While technically more demanding with a slightly higher complication rate, it offers advantages over transaxillary or translumbar routes.
Impact:
- Transbrachial DSA is a valuable alternative for patients requiring arterial imaging when standard approaches fail.
- This method is particularly useful for assessing the descending aorta and peripheral leg vasculature.
- It also demonstrates utility in specific angioplasty interventions, expanding interventional options.
Abstract:
In a large group of patients, most of whom were attending a department of vascular surgery, who underwent arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA), a transfemoral approach was not possible in 9%. Therefore in 142 cases transbrachial arterial angiography was electively performed with 4-F or 5-F catheters. This method proved to be a safe and reliable alternative, though the examination technique was more demanding and the complication rate somewhat higher. It offers clear advantages over a transaxillary or translumbar approach. Special attention is paid to the role of transbrachial arterial DSA in evaluating the descending aorta and the peripheral outflow in the legs and to its usefulness in certain angioplasty manoeuvres.