An experimental evaluation of arteriography and imaging ultrasonography in detecting arterial defects at operation

Abstract

Vascular lesions resembling those which might occur in arterial reconstructive surgery were produced in canine aortas and examined by portable arteriography, serial biplane arteriography, and B-mode real-time ultrasonography. The lesions established were intimal flaps, thrombi, strictures, and intimal defects. The accuracy and sensitivity of imaging ultrasonography was higher than both portable and serial biplane arteriographies for detecting 2 × 5-mm intimal flaps, 5 × 5-mm, intimal flaps and thrombi. There was no difference for aortic segments with strictures. Serial arteriography was more sensitive than portable arteriography for 2 × 5-mm flaps and for thrombi. Sensitivity for intimal defects was higher for both types of arteriographies than for ultrasonography. The specificity for all three procedures was high and without significant difference among them. This experimental study indicates that operative ultrasonography is more precise for detecting intravascular defects than both portable and serial biplane arteriographies. Clinical application and evaluation of this diagnostic procedure is warranted.