Preoperative Contrast Arteriography Research Articles

Role of Duplex Arteriography as the Sole Preoperative Imaging Modality Prior to Lower Extremity Revascularization Surgery in Diabetic and Renal Patients

The limitations and complications associated with contrast angiography (CA) prior to lower extremity revascularization have led to an increased interest in duplex arteriography (DA) as a potential replacement. We report our experience with DA in patients with diabetes and/or chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) that would particularly benefit from a noninvasive approach to preoperative evaluation of the arterial tree. From January 1998 to November 2000, DA was performed in 145 patients with diabetes mellitus and/or CRI prior to 180 arterial reconstructions. One hundred twenty-one procedures were performed on 91 patients with diabetes alone, 41 on 33 patients with diabetes and CRI, and 18 on 15 patients with CRI alone. Patient ages ranged from 36 to 98 years (mean 72 +/- 12 years). Indications for surgery were severe claudication in 33 (18%), rest pain in 37 (21%), nonhealing ischemic ulcers in 52 (29%), and limb gangrene in 58 (32%). Optimal inflow and outflow anastomotic sites were selected according to a diagram based on DA that included arterial tree imaging from mid-aorta to the pedal vessels. Preoperative contrast arteriography was performed in 16 cases (9%) because of extremely poor runoff based on DA and limited visualization of outflow vessels. The distal anastomosis was to the popliteal artery in 89 cases (49%) and to the tibial and pedal arteries in 91 (51%). Intraoperative findings confirmed the preoperative DA results with the exception of one (0.6%) where the distal anastomosis was placed proximal to a significant stenosis requiring an extension graft. The use of DA presents a safe and reliable option to prebypass CA for many patients with diabetes or CRI. The ease of use and favorable patient outcomes achieved by this imaging modality may rival the use of CA for these patients.

Presidential address: The modern vascular specialist--surgeon, clinician, and interventionist.

Presidential address: The modern vascular specialist--surgeon, clinician, and interventionist.

Acute Lower Limb Ischemia: The Value of Duplex Ultrasound Arterial Mapping (DUAM) as the Sole Preoperative Imaging Technique

Contrast arteriography (CA) is the gold standard preoperative imaging modality for patients with chronic and acute lower limb ischemia. We have previously shown that high-quality DUAM can safely replace CA in patients with chronic ischemia. The goal of this study was to investigate whether DUAM can also be used effectively in the setting of acute ischemia. From January 1998 to February 2001, 68 patients were admitted to our institution with 87 instances of acute lower limb(s) ischemia and underwent 87 operations. There were 34 men and 34 women whose age ranged from 51 to 95 years (mean 72 +/- 12.5). There were 44 cases of acute arterial occlusions and 43 cases of bypass graft thromboses. In the former group the most proximal occluded site based upon duplex was the aorta in 1 case, common iliac in 4 cases, external iliac in 15 cases, and infrainguinal arteries in 24 cases. In the latter group, there were 4 suprainguinal grafts, 24 bypasses to the popliteal artery, and 15 bypasses to infrapopliteal arteries. All patients had DUAM as their initial diagnostic study. The duplex protocol varied according to the pulse exam. In patients with a good femoral pulse but absent popliteal pulse, attempts were made to visualize the ipsilateral femoral-popliteal segment and the proximal third of the infrapopliteal arteries. This was extended to the pedal arteries in cases of proximal occlusion. When the femoral pulse was absent the protocol included visualization of the distal aorta, bilateral iliac, and common femoral arteries. This exam was extended into the deep and superficial femoral-popliteal segments in cases of proximal occlusion. None of these cases had preoperative or prebypass CA. Intraoperative arterial pressures to confirm the adequacy of the inflow tract and completion arteriography to assess the runoff were performed in 78% of the cases at the end of the procedure. This initial experience suggests that high-quality DUAM may replace CA in patients with lower limb ischemia. DUAM provides a reliable assessment of the inflow and outflow arteries even in very low-flow situations. In addition, DUAM can identify the cause of the arterial occlusion, thereby making therapy more effective and less time consuming.

Lower Extremity Revascularization without Preoperative Contrast Arteriography: Experience with Duplex Ultrasound Arterial Mapping in 485 Cases

This study reviews our experience with duplex ultrasound arterial mapping (DUAM) for preoperative evaluation in 466 patients (262 men) who underwent 485 lower extremity revascularization procedures from January 1, 1998 to May 30, 2001. Preoperative imaging consisted of DUAM alone in 449 procedures and DUAM and contrast angiography (CA) in 36. An attempt to image from the distal aorta to the pedal arteries was made in all the patients. The selection of optimal inflow and outflow bypasses anastomotic sites was based on a schematic drawing following DUAM examination. Inflow disease was also assessed by intraoperative pressure gradient (IPG) between the distal anastomosis and radial arteries, and completion arteriography of the runoff vessels was obtained, which was correlated with the preoperative findings. Indications for surgery were severe claudication in 91 (19%) limbs, tissue loss in 197 (40%), rest pain in 113 (23%), acute ischemia in 46 (10%), popliteal aneurysm in 18 (4%), superficial femoral artery aneurysm in 1, abdominal aortic aneurysm with claudication in 1, and failing graft in 18 (4%). Age ranged from 30 to 97 years (mean 72 +/- 12 (SD) years) and risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, use of tobacco, coronary artery disease, and end-stage renal disease were present in 45%, 45%, 44%, 44%, and 13% of the patients, respectively. One hundred twenty-one (25%) limbs had at least 1 previous ipsilateral revascularization. The mean DUAM time was 66 +/- 20 (SD) min (30-150 min). Additional preoperative imaging was deemed necessary in 36 cases due to extensive ulcers, edema, severe arterial wall calcification, and very poor runoff. The distal anastomosis was to the popliteal artery in 173 cases and to the tibial and pedal arteries in 255. Inflow procedures to the femoral arteries, embolectomy, thrombectomy, balloon angioplasty, and patch angioplasty accounted for the remaining 57 cases. Overall, 6-, 12-, and -24- month secondary patency rates were 86%, 80%, and 66%, respectively. This early experience shows that high-quality arterial ultrasonography performed by a highly skilled vascular technologist may represent an alternative to conventional arteriography for patients in need of lower extremity revascularization. Because of limitations inherent to the technique and very poor runoff observed on ultrasonographic examination, additional preoperative imaging procedure's are needed for certain patients.

Early results of infragenicular revascularization based solely on duplex arteriography

Purpose: Recent reports have both advocated and questioned the utility of duplex arteriography (DA) as the sole preoperative imaging modality for planning infragenicular revascularization. This study compares the outcome of patients with critical limb ischemia who underwent infragenicular vein grafts on the basis of DA alone versus conventional preoperative contrast arteriography (CA). Methods: The study group is composed of 23 consecutive patients who underwent infragenicular vein bypass grafting solely on the basis of preoperative DA from 1998 to 1999. They were compared with 50 consecutive patients who underwent infragenicular vein bypass grafting after CA from 1996 to 1998. Peak systolic velocity and end-diastolic velocity of potential target arteries were recorded during DA studies. In situ saphenous vein grafts were used preferentially, and technical adequacy of all grafts was assessed with completion duplex or arteriography. Results: DA and CA groups were comparable on the basis of age and risk factors. In one limb (4%), the target artery selected by DA was abandoned because of dense calcification. No other revision in target or inflow artery was required on the basis of intraoperative completion studies. At 1 year, primary graft patency (78% vs 70%, P = .72) and limb salvage (70% vs 81%, P = .21) were comparable between the two groups. In the DA group, mean preoperative target artery peak systolic velocity in patent versus failed grafts was 49 ± 18 cm/s versus 31 ± 9 cm/s ( P = .04), whereas mean end-diastolic velocity was 22 ± 7 cm/s versus 14 ± 8 cm/s ( P = .08). Conclusion: Infragenicular revascularization directed by DA alone provides early graft patency and limb salvage rates comparable to similar procedures that are based on CA. Preoperative DA target artery velocities may predict outcome and improve target selection. These initial results justify further clinical testing of DA as the primary imaging modality for planning infragenicular vein grafts. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:1165-70.)

Lower-extremity Revascularisation Without Preoperative Contrast Arteriography in 185 Cases: Lessons Learned with Duplex ultrasound Arterial Mapping

Purpose: we have previously reported our experience with lower-extremity duplex-ultrasound arterial mapping (DUAM) compared to contrast arteriography (CA) to predict lower-extremity bypass sites. The present study evaluates arterial revascularisation procedures for chronic limb ischaemia based on DUAM. Materials and methods: from January 1998 to July 1999, 195 patients (128 men, 67 women) underwent 211 lower-extremity revascularisation procedures based on DUAM. Indications for surgery were tissue loss, severe claudication, rest pain and popliteal aneurysm in 57%, 25%, 14% and 4% of the limbs, respectively. The mean age was 72±12 years and risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, tobacco use, coronary artery and end-stage renal disease were present in 53%, 58%, 53%, 50% and 12% of the patients, respectively. Previous revascularisation procedures had been performed in 23% of the limbs. Preoperative evaluation consisted of DUAM alone (185) or of a combination of DUAM and CA (29 limbs). CA was deemed necessary due to a combination of technical difficulties that jeopardised adequate sonographic imaging and presence of disadvantaged run-off for medico-legal reasons. DUAM consisted of direct imaging of all major arteries from the distal aorta to the pedal circulation. Optimal inflow and outflow bypass anastomotic sites were selected according to a diagram based on DUAM. Adequacy of the inflow was additionally assessed by common-femoral-artery waveform and confirmed by intraoperative pressure measurements. Post-bypass CA was obtained to verify patency of the run-off. Results: DUAM procedure time averaged 75±26 min. For patients who underwent only DUAM, the distal anastomosis was to the popliteal artery in 91 cases and to tibial or pedal arteries in 58 cases. Distal anastomosis was proximal to a significant lesion in two cases that required jump grafts. Cumulative patency rates at 1 and 3 months for popliteal bypasses were 96% and 90%, and for infrapopliteal bypasses 90% and 83%, respectively. Inflow procedures to the femoral artery, patch and balloon angioplasties accounted for the remaining 40 cases. Four primary amputations were performed after CA confirmed DUAM findings. Conclusions: contrary to general belief, these data show that high-quality arterial ultrasonography represents a safe alternative to preoperative CA, even for infrapopliteal bypasses. This non-invasive approach may be especially useful for patients with contrast allergy or impaired renal function.

Lower extremity revascularization without contrast arteriography: a prospective study of operation based upon duplex mapping

This study prospectively assessed the results of lower extremity surgical revascularization, which was performed on the basis of duplex arterial mapping in selected patients without preoperative contrast arteriography. Criteria were developed for patient selection. Among 158 patients requiring surgery for lower extremity ischemia over a 24-month period, 24 (15%) were selected for operation without current preoperative arteriography. Aorto-iliac and infrainguinal duplex arterial mapping were performed in an laboratory that was accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories. Indications for surgery were minor gangrene (11), rest pain (7), or claudication (6). Operations included femoro-popliteal bypass (14), femoral endarterectomy (9) and femoral–femoral bypass (1). Mean length of stay was 4.5±2.0 days. Ankle–brachial index improved from 0.49±0.12 to 0.80±0.15 ( P<0.05). Primary patency was 91.7±9.4% and assisted primary patency was 100% at 18 months. There was no graft occlusion or limb loss. Mean follow-up was 16.7±7.0 months. These preliminary data support the safety and durability of duplex-guided lower extremity surgical revascularization without arteriography in selected cases. Success in a broader application of this approach requires the continuing development of patient selection criteria.

The use of duplex ultrasound arterial mapping as an alternative to conventional arteriography for primary and secondary infrapopliteal bypasses

Background: For more than 1 decade, duplex ultrasonography has been investigated as a potential replacement for invasive contrast arteriography (CA) prior to lower extremity revascularization. While some authors advocate the reliability of this methodology for infrainguinal imaging, revascularizations based on duplex ultrasonography alone are seldom reported. Our initial experience with duplex ultrasound arterial mapping (DUAM) for primary and secondary infrapopliteal bypasses performed without preoperative CA is reported in this series. Methods: Twenty-eight infrapopliteal bypasses based on DUAM alone (26) and combined DUAM and CA (2) were performed. Indications for surgery were tissue loss in 22 cases and rest pain in 6. Eight patients (29%) had at least 1 previous ipsilateral revascularization. A schematic anatomical drawing based on DUAM helped the selection of optimal inflow and outflow bypass sites. Bypasses originated from the femoral arteries in 17 cases, external iliac in 3, and popliteal in 4, and from a previous graft in 4. The distal anastomosis was to the dorsalis pedis in 12 cases, posterior tibial in 7, anterior tibial in 6, and peroneal in 3. Results: DUAM revealed unobstructed inflow in 24 cases, significant iliac stenosis in 1, and in 3 cases imaging was not possible owing to obesity. A pressure gradient of 15 mm Hg between donor and radial artery confirmed the stenosis diagnosed by DUAM, and was successfully treated with balloon angioplasty and stent placement. A single infrapopliteal runoff artery was identified by DUAM in 22 cases, 2 in 4 cases, and 3 in 2 cases. Preoperative CA was performed in 2 instances because of severe arterial calcification. Completion arteriography matched the run-off status predicted by DUAM in 25 out of 26 cases (96%). DUAM missed a significant anterior tibial artery stenosis that required a distal graft extension. One-, 3-, and 6-month patency rates were 96%, 85%, and 62%, respectively. Limb salvage rate was 86%. Conclusions: This early experience shows that DUAM may be a safe alternative to invasive conventional arteriography for the majority of patients (89%) presenting with critical ischemia and in need of infrapopliteal bypasses.

Intraoperative prebypass arteriography for infrageniculate revascularization

Selection of the optimal distal target for infrageniculate arterial revascularization remains difficult in patients with multilevel occlusive disease due to poor visualization of the distal vasculature by preoperative arteriography. Prebypass, intraoperative arteriography (IOA) with direct injection of contrast into the infrageniculate arteries may improve distal arterial visualization and bypass target selection. One hundred fourteen extremities in 104 consecutive patients requiring infrageniculate bypass were prospectively studied. All patients underwent preoperative contrast arteriography (CA) of the aortoiliac and lower extremity arteries using iodinated and/or CO2 contrast and digital subtraction techniques. IOAs were obtained at operation to confirm the adequacy of the distal runoff from the predicted bypass target and to identify potentially superior targets. The preoperative plan formulated from the CA was compared to the actual procedure performed based on the IOA. The CA and IOA were also independently reviewed postoperatively by two blinded vascular surgeons to determine the number of patent vessel segments visualized and the number of segments with <50% stenosis. Revascularization was done in 105 of 114 extremities (92%), whereas amputation was required as the initial procedure in 9 patients (8%). The IOA altered the operative plan based on the CA in 27 of 144 patients (24%). Changes in the planned bypass procedures included selection of a more distal anastomotic site in 13 of 102 patients (13%), selection of a more proximal anastomotic site in 4 of 102 (4%), selection of a different artery for the distal anastomosis in 3 of 102 (3%), and amputation rather than bypass in 2 of 102 patients (2%) with no suitable distal bypass target on the IOA. The IOA also resulted in bypass rather than planned amputation in 5 of 12 patients (42%) deemed unreconstructable on the preoperative CA. A mean of 13 minutes was required for IOA and an adequate study was obtained on the first attempt in 98 of 144 patients (86%). On postoperative review, more patent vessel segments but fewer segments with <50% stenosis were identified on the IOA compared to the CA. Prebypass intraoperative arteriography facilitates selection of the optimal distal bypass target during infrageniculate revascularization and can result in initial limb salvage in select patients deemed unreconstructable by preoperative contrast arteriography.

The fate of bypass grafts to angiographically occult runoff vessels detected by magnetic resonance angiography

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a noninvasive vascular imaging technique that is more sensitive than contrast arteriography (CA) for the detection of patent distal runoff vessels. This technique has facilitated performance of MRA-directed bypass procedures for patients who were believed not to be bypass candidates because of the absence of a suitable target vessel on the preoperative CA. The fate of bypasses to these angiographically occult runoff vessels is unknown, however, and it has been proposed that patients with angiographically occult runoff may have aggressive occlusive disease, rendering bypass procedures ultimately futile. Between April 1992 and February 1995, 212 autogenous vein infrageniculate bypasses were performed for limb-salvage indications, 22 (12%) to angiographically occult runoff vessels. Results of bypasses performed to angiographically occult vessels were compared with those of bypasses to CA-detected runoff vessels. Life-table analysis of graft-patency and limb-salvage rates was performed. The accuracy of the MRA-predicted patency of angiographically occult vessels was confirmed in every case by the operative findings. Life-table analysis revealed no significant difference in primary graft patency (p > 0.05) or limb-salvage (p > 0.05) rates between patients with bypasses to runoff vessels seen by MRA alone. At 35 months after surgery, the primary graft patency rate was 68% for bypasses to CA-detected vessel bypass and 67% for MRA-detected vessels. The limb salvage rate was 83% for CA-detected vessel bypass patients and 78% for patients with angiographically occult runoff. MRA can accurately identify patent runoff vessels not visualized by CA. Results of bypasses performed to angiographically occult runoff vessels are similar to those of bypasses performed to vessels detected by CA. MRA should be performed in patients in whom CA fails to reveal runoff vessels suitable for use in a limb-salvage procedure. The greater sensitivity of MRA may facilitate successful bypass surgery and improve the overall limb-salvage rate.

Can Intraoperative Prebypass Arteriography Substitute for the Preoperative Arteriogram?

Preoperative contrast arteriography is presently considered a requirement when planning infrainguinal arterial reconstructions in patients with limb-threatening ischemia. We reviewed the clinical data from 22 infrainguinal bypasses done in 20 patients to see if appropriate decisions concerning operability and the nature of the operation could be made from the physical examination and noninvasive data supplemented by a limited intraoperative on-table prebypass arteriogram. The presence of a normal femoral pulse with either a normal thigh pulse volume tracing or a normal high-thigh index assured adequate inflow to the groin level. The presence of an arterial Doppler signal at the ankle level, heard with a hand held Doppler, confirmed the presence of patent outflow vessels for the distal anastomosis. The exact site of the distal anastomosis could be determined with the on-table prebypass arteriogram. In patients with limb-threatening ischemia due to occlusive disease limited to the infrainguinal arterial tree, an appropriate operative bypass may be performed without the aid of the preoperative arteriogram.