Clinical evaluations of digital subtraction angiography in peripheral angiography using fine puncture needles

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed on 61 patients with peripheral vascular changes. Intravenous DSA was performed on 26 patients and intraarterial DSA on 32 patients, using diluted contrast medium and fine puncture needle. Comparative studies demonstrated that IADSA was better than IVDSA especially in the distal extremities. The patients had no pain after intraarterial injection of contrast medium, furthermore the examination time was shorter than conventional angiography. In the extremities examinations there was absence of motion misregistration as is seen in other regions. The principal limitation of DSA for peripheral vasculature is the limited field of view, requiring many injections. (author)