Digital subtraction angiography of the aortic arch

We evaluated the utility of intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV DSA) for diagnosing lesions of the aortic arch and great vessels in 25 patients. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was found useful in evaluating congenital and acquired lesions of the arch and great vessel origins, and it proved adequate for follow-up of patients who had graft replacement. Cases examined included: right aortic arch, double arch, aortic coarctation, aberrant vascular origins, aortic aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm, changes in atherosclerotic great vessels, and revascularization procedures for patients with pulmonary atresia and aortic interruption. In our experience, DSA is a useful tool for screening and following patients with aortic arch or great vessel lesions; it is often the only diagnostic imaging examination necessary.     

Evaluation of the cerebral vasculature by intraarterial DSA-with emphasis on in vivo resolution

Summary Comparative study was performed between IA DSA and stereoscopic magnification angiography in relation to small vessel resolution, image quality of the vessels and image quality of various pathologic lesions. The vessels of various diameters, accurately measured by stereoscopic magnification angiography, were localized on IA DSA and their resolution was carefully assessed. The vessels more than 1 mm in diameter were equally visualized on IA DSA and conventional angiography. The vessels between 1 mm and 0.5 mm showed fair resolution on IA DSA, whereas IA DSA did not resolve the vessels smaller than 0.5 mm in diameter to good advantage. In addition, image quality of the vessels on IA DSA was compared with the conventional methods. Cerebral gyrus, venous sinuses, and intracerebral veins are often shown better on DSA. The small vessels such as lenticulostriate, small cortical, thalamoperforate and meningohypophyseal arteries were not defined on DSA. Equal or better image quality was obtained in more than 85% of cases with pathologic lesions. Examinations were performed faster with lower cost and lower complication rate. Information provided by DSA was often sufficient for managements of patients. Combined use of DSA and conventional angiography will improve diagnostic accuracy and decrease the complication rate.     

Intravenous digital subtraction angiography in diagnosis of vascular graft occlusion

Differentiation is often difficult between vascular graft occlusion and progression of underlying disease in patients after vascular surgery. We have studied 57 patients after surgery for traumatic and atherosclerotic arterial occlusion and other vascular anomalies using a commercial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) unit; no complications occurred. Indications for examination included pain, diminished pulse, and failure of catheter angiography. Graft patency was established if proximal and distal anastomoses were visualized; occlusion was diagnosed if no graft was imaged or vascular stump found—noted in 31 grafts. Our diagnosis was proved surgically in 24 patients (two refused operation); three others were confirmed angiographically and one by Doppler ultrasonic examination. In our experience DSA is a safe, specific means of following postoperative grafts and diagnosing their occlusion. This work was supported in part by U.S. Public Health Service Grant No. HL07334     

Clinical application of hybrid subtraction digital angiography: Preliminary results

The clinical application of hybrid subtraction in digital fluoroscopy of the vasculature is reported in our first 30 patients studied. Hybrid subtraction combines the advantages of temporal and dual energy subtraction techniques to achieve simultaneous elimination of overlying bone, soft tissue, and motion induced artifacts. Hybrid subtraction improved the subjective appearance of an image in 19 of 30 (63%) studies but additional diagnostic information was only revealed in 11 of 30 (37%) patients. This study was supported in part by the General Electric Company Medical Systems Division and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (Contract #HV-02922)     

Cardiac digital subtraction angiography: Peripheral versus central intravenous dye injections

Peripheral and central intravenous injections of contrast material were performed during the cardiac digital subtraction angiographic (DSA) studies of 24 patients keeping constant X-ray exposure factors, volume of dye, and angiographic projection. The resulting continuous-mask-subtracted runs of cardiac images were videotaped and reviewed by three observers. In a forced-choice comparison, the central injection was judged to produce images of superior technical quality 42 times as opposed to 30 times for the peripheral injection. When comparing the diagnostic quality of the studies, the reviewers found no significant difference in diagnostic adequacy in 65 judgments (90%). They found the central injection to be superior in diagnostic quality in four judgments (twice in the same patient) and the peripheral injection superior in three judgments (all in the same patient). Although central intravenous injections produce slightly better cardiac digital subtraction angiographic images, we have found peripheral injections diagnostically adequate for most of these studies and favor them for simplicity and ease of performance.     

Current experience with digital subtraction angiography in the community medical center

At the community medical center, we have introduced and successfully applied digital subtraction angiography (DSA) to disease processes seen in 1,144 patients. Although there is a trade-off between increased contrast resolution and decreased spatial resolution with the DSA approach, nonetheless in many vascular beds it provides rapid, safe, and accurate disease diagnosis.     

Comparison of intravenous digital subtraction angiography to conventional aortography in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm

Evaluation of intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV DSA) in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm was performed by obtaining catheter aortograms immediately before DSA studies in ten patients. Diagnostic images were obtained in nine of ten digital subtraction examinations. Although repeat injections were necessary in six DSA and three conventional aortography cases for adequate imaging of both cephalad and caudal extension of the aneurysm, average contrast dose was 53 cc (62 cc in standard catheter studies). Renal artery stenosis was diagnosed by DSA in two of three vessels, multiple renal arteries were demonstrated by both modalities in two cases. Digital subtraction and conventional aortographic findings were proved at surgery. Intravenous DSA was shown to be useful in the preoperative evaluation of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm. This work was supported in part by U.S. Public Health Service Grant No. HL07334.     

Renal digital subtraction angiography

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA), a new computer-assisted radiographic procedure, has recently been applied to the evaluation of the kidney and in the screening of patients with renal vascular hypertension. The efficacy of the method in the evaluation of the anatomy of proximal renal arteries is in the 80–90% range; however, DSA is less effective in the evaluation of renal mass lesion. In the present state of DSA development, the method has a place in screening for renal artery stenosis (RAS). Further development, particularly improvement in spatial resolution, will be necessary before this procedure can substitute for renal angiography, in the evaluation of renal masses or in some cases of RAS.     

Evaluation of the prone position in digital subtraction angiography of the kidneys

In visualizing the kidneys and renal arteries, the digital subtraction angiography (DSA) image is degraded by peristalsis and overlying bowel gas. In 25 patients we evaluated the efficacy of the prone position to counter these technical difficulties and found that the prone position offers visualization superior to the supine, especially in obese and uncooperative patients and those with abundant bowel gas. We advocate that prone imaging be included routinely in renal DSA.     

107例数字减影血管造影受检者所受辐射剂量分析

目的 统计血管造影受检者每次检查所受辐射剂量值及影响辐射剂量的相关因素,为分析、评估放射诊疗风险提供数据参考。方法 收集107例受检者检查时在线记录的全部辐射剂量值及其与剂量相关的技术参数值,按照检查区域头部、腹部和心脏进行分类,统计每例受检者的总透视时间、透视累积剂量面积乘积(DAP)、透视累积皮肤入射剂量(ESD),计算透视剂量率;统计每例受检者的造影曝光次数、造影曝光时间、采集帧频率,以及造影累积剂量面积乘积和造影累积皮肤入射剂量;统计每例受检者的透视加造影的总累积剂量面积乘积和总累积皮肤入射剂量。对所有数据分门别类进行相应的对比分析。结果 冠状动脉造影+介入,ESD为(22 285.5±18 682.7)μGy·m²,DAP为(2 942.1±2 557.3)mGy;头部血管造影DAP为(25 929.6±8 302.7)μGy ·m²,DAP为(1 288.8±682.3)mGy;腹部血管造影,DAP为(12 129.7±10 646.1)μGy·m²,ESD为(730.1±584.7)mGy。结论 血管造影受检者所受总累积剂量,冠状动脉造影相对最高,其次是头部血管造影,腹部血管造影相对较低。     

Digital angiography in evaluation of orthopedic tumors

Preoperative evaluation of orthopedic tumors using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) proved useful to ascertain the nature of the lesion, its extension to soft tissues and joints, and the presence of arteriovenous (AV) shunts. We report that overall accuracy varied from 89% to 92%, depending on the feature evaluated. The importance of angiographic examination of this entity is discussed as well as the advantages of DSA over conventional angiography.     

Intravenous digital subtraction angiography of the thoracic and abdominal aorta

Intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV DSA) is a new imaging modality that utilizes techniques of video image acquisition and computer image manipulation to provide anatomic information about blood vessels and organs. In many ways, it represents an electronic version of classic intravenous and film-subtraction angiography. As a means of imaging the thoracic and abdominal aorta, IV DSA has demonstrated great potential, particularly in vessels originally imaged by the former techniques. We have imaged the aorta in over 300 cases at Brigham and Women's Hospital, either alone, or in combination with other vessels in the course of work-up for vascular disease. Although experience has been limited, intravenous imaging of the aorta can be routinely performed, providing reliable and clinically significant information. Supported in part by CV Training Grant 201-HL20895-06     

Multislice CT Angiography in Renal Artery Stent Evaluation: Prospective Comparison with Intra-Arterial Digital Subtraction Angiography

Purpose: To assess the role of multislice computed tomography angiography (MCTA) in the evaluation of renal artery stents, using intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the gold standard. Methods: Twenty consecutive patients (15 men, 5 women) with 23 renal artery stents prospectively underwent both MCTA and DSA. Axial images, multiplanar reconstructions and maximum intensity projection images were used for diagnosis. The MCTA and DSA images were each interpreted without reference to the result of the other investigation. Results: The three cases of restenosis on DSA were detected correctly by MCTA; in 19 cases where MCTA showed a fully patent stent, the DSA was also negative. Sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of MCTA were therefore 100%. In four cases, MCTA showed apparently minimal disease which was not shown on DSA. These cases are taken as false positive giving a specificity of 80% and a positive predictive value of 43%. Conclusion: The high sensitivity and NPV suggest MCTA may be useful as a noninvasive screen for renal artery stent restenosis. MCTA detected mild disease in a few patients which was not confirmed on angiography.     

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the evaluation of brain death

Summary Demonstration that intracranial circulation has ceased is the ultimate proof of brain death. This study was performed to evaluate digital subtraction angiography (DSA) compared with conventional cerebral angiography in the diagnosis of brain death. Intravenous as well as intraarterial DSA was found suitable in the diagnosis of arrested intracranial circulation.     

Digital subtraction angiography in abnormal perfusion scintigraphy of the lungs

A normal lung perfusion isotope scan can exclude pulmonary emboli. However, the demonstration of lung emboli presents problems, as an abnormal lung perfusion scan can have various causes. Some of these can be excluded if the perfusion scan is assessed in combination with a chest X-ray and a ventilation scan. In this study, 21 patients with an abnormal perfusion scan were also examined using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the lungs. With the help of DSA it was possible to differentiate between the various causes of a lung perfusion defect on the isotope scan by having a sufficiently reliable pulmonary angiogram. From experience it appears that the quality of the pulmonary angiogram confined to the first three divisions obtained with DSA, is comparable with that from a conventional pulmonary angiogram. A perfusion isotope scan is the initial screening modality for suspected lung emboli, if this shows an abnormality, DSA seems to be indicated as the next step.     

Cardiac imaging with digital subtraction angiography

Central cardiovascular anatomy and function have been evaluated with intravenous digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The subtraction techniques used for studying the left ventricle (LV) were mask mode, time interval difference and functional subtraction. Aside from contrast enhancement, a major use of digital fluoroscopy for cardiac applications has been computer-assisted quantitative analysis of LV dimensions and function. Left ventricular volumes and wall thickness determined from DSA studies have correlated closely with direct left ventriculograms and sonocardiometry measurements in patients and animals, respectively. Measurements of segmental LV contraction with DSA correlated closely with direct left ventriculography in normal patients and patients with coronary artery disease. The sensitivity of intravenous DSA for detecting significant coronary artery disease was increased by performing DSA immediately after increasing the myocardial oxygen demands by atrial pacing. The advantages and disadvantages of DSA in relation to other semi-or non-invasive imaging modalities are discussed.     

选择性鼻咽纤维血管瘤供血动脉术前栓塞的应用

目的 探讨选择性鼻咽纤维血管瘤供血动脉术前栓塞的应用价值。方法 对15例鼻咽纤维血管瘤行数字减影血管造影(DsA)检查和栓塞治疗。供血动脉主要为颈外动脉的颌内动脉和(或)咽升动脉,栓塞材料用明胶海绵。结果15例在选择性颈外动脉栓塞后行手术治疗,13例术中出血量明显减少,2例由颈外动脉,颈内动脉系统同时供血,仅选择性颈外动脉栓塞,术中出血量较多。栓塞后2～5d手术最为理想。结论鼻咽纤维血管瘤供血动脉术前栓塞是临床有效的治疗方法之一。     

Digital angiography in the diagnosis of congenital heart disease

Based on experimental and clinical studies, the technical aspects (choice of projection, injection technique), experimental and clinical results, and the indications for computerized digital angiography in congenital heart disease are reviewed. To obtain high-quality diagnostic images consistently, ECG-gating, suspended or gated respiration, and short pulsewidth acquistion are required. Clinically useful diagnostic information has been acquired in children with suspected functional murmurs, cardiac surgery that is believed to be inadequate, and in cyanotic newborns after intravenous injection of contrast material. Increased diagnostic information has also been obtained after intracardiac injection of small amounts of contrast and computerized digital processing of images in children undergoing cardiac catheterization.     

Intra-venous digital subtraction angiography: an alternative method to intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography for experimental aneurysm imaging

Conventional intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA), which necessitates surgical exposure and ligation of the femoral artery, is an invasive and expensive method of evaluation for experimental elastase-induced aneurysms in rabbits. The purpose of this study was to examine and validate intra-venous digital subtraction angiography (IVDSA) as an alternative to IADSA by comparing their diagnostic accuracies. We performed both IVDSA and IADSA for 24 elastase-induced saccular aneurysms in a rabbit model, 1 month following creation. Aneurysm sizes (neck, width and height) from both the IVDSA and IADSA procedures were evaluated and measured. Comparison of the aneurysm sizes between IVDSA and IADSA were performed with the Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test. All the aneurysms were seen clearly in both the IVDSA and IADSA techniques. Mean sizes of the IVDSA aneurysm neck, width and height were 3.41±0.80 mm, 3.61±0.93 mm and 8.07±2.11 mm, respectively. Mean sizes of the IADSA aneurysm neck, width and height were 3.43±0.80 mm, 3.66±0.92 mm and 8.16±2.25 mm, respectively. No significant difference was found in the sizes of the aneurysm neck, width and height between the two groups (P=0.311, P=0.086 and P=0.258, respectively). IVDSA appears to be an alternative method for evaluating elastase-induced aneurysms in rabbits.     

DSA介入下制作犬脑出血模型的研究

目的:探讨建立与人类脑出血(intra-cerebral hemorrhage,ICH)相似、稳定可靠、重复性好的犬ICH模型的可行性。方法:选择健康家犬45只,经股动脉插管DSA下,导丝经导管进入并刺破大脑中动脉。制作ICH模型,以成功后2h脑CT检查结果确定血肿部位并计算血肿体积,观察24h内血肿体积变化及犬死亡情况。结果:45只犬脑出血部位均在基底节区或临近颞叶;血肿体积2.1~4ml者明显多于4.1~5ml、1.5~2ml及≥5ml者(P均<0.01);体积为4.1~5ml者明显多于1.5~2ml及≥5ml者(P均<0.01);血肿≤4ml破入脑室者明显少于≥4.1ml者(P<0.01),前者24h无1只死亡,明显少于后者(P<0.01)。结论:DSA介入下制作犬ICH模型,血肿部位合适、大小适中、模型稳定、破入脑室及死亡率均低,更接近于人类ICH。