Exact measurement of vascular lumina in digital subtraction arteriography (DSA) during stent implantations and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA)

There are inherent difficulties in using high-resolution DSA in interventional radiology for measuring vascular luminal diameter since enlargement ratios are not constant. We present a system that permits accurate determination of vascular lumen diameters by means of a special angiographic catheter with pre-defined marking points. The accuracy of this measuring method was explored in tests using phantoms. In vivo practicability of the method was proved in PTA and stent implantations in 39 patients. This method with a maximum error of measurement of 5% appears to provide adequate safety in the choice of suitable dilating balloons and stents in interventional vascular procedures. In follow-up, it permits the accurate measurement of neo-intimal thickness.