Hemodynamic assessment of obstructive aortoiliac disease

Angiographic demonstration of obstructive aortoiliac disease is of paramount importance prior to surgery. Obstructive disease in the femoral popliteal system can only be surgically relieved if inflow is adequate. Severely stenotic lesions may be missed by angiography due to the oblique course of the iliac arteries and inability to obtain right angle views. Translumbar downstream catheterization of the abdominal aorta and puncture of both femoral arteries allows simultaneous pressure recordings. The injection of 30 mg of papaverine into the femoral artery assures maximal vasodilatation mimicking conditions under exercise. A minimal gradient at rest may become obvious following the injection of papaverine, indicating hemodynamically significant disease and warranting surgical correction. The technique has proved to be simple and valuable, and there have been no complications.