INTRAVENOUS DIGITAL SUBTRACTION ANGIOGRAPHY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PERIPHERAL VASCULAR-DISEASE

All patients undergoing peripheral injection intravenous digital subtraction angiography (ivDSA) for peripheral vascular disease during 1987 have been reviewed (140 patients). The radiological distribution of disease was aorto-iliac occlusive (AI) 36 (23%), femoropopliteal (FP) 68 (44%), mixed AI/FP 36 (23%). Clinical diagnosis was correct for Al disease in 92%, for FP disease in 65% and for mixed AI/FP disease in 47%. ivDSA was the only investigation required for management in 111 of all 140 patients (79%), and in 33 of the 36 patients with AI disease (92%), but was less accurate in defining femoropopliteal disease, 22 patients (32%) requiring additional arteriography. Conventional arteriography was performed in 200 patients in 1982 compared with 100 in 1987. ivDSA is particularly suitable for the investigation of Al disease, a condition which is accurately detected by clinical examination, with a reduction in morbidity and bed occupancy.