Value Of Angiography Research Articles

A diagnostic assessment of angioarchitectonics of choroidal melanoma

Purpose: to study angioarchitectonics of choroidal melanoma with varied biometric characteristics by comparing the results of indocyanine green angiography (IAG) and OCT angiography (OCTA).Material and methods. Angiography with indocyanine green and OCT angiography was performed in 45 choroidal melanoma patients (45 eyes, 20 men, 25 women, mean age 57.36 ± 15.11 years) to see the features of angioarchitectonics for various tumor elevations: up to 3 mm (small choroidal melanomas) and within the 3.1– 5.0 mm range (medium choroidal melanomas) and assess the informative value of the techniques.Results. We established a high diagnostic value of angiography with indocyanine green and OCT angiography in the diagnosis of vasculature of choroidal melanoma (89% and 71 %, respectively), an acceptable significance in small choroidal melanomas, and a higher informative value of angiography with indocyanine green in medium choroidal melanomas. The vasculature of small choroidal melanomas is characterized by type 1 angioarchitectonics predominance (59 %), while that of medium-sized melanomas corresponds to type 2 angioarchitectonics (81 %). The pattern match in angiography with indocyanine green and OCT angiography took place in 93.8 % of patients. The average depth of vessel identification during OCT angiography was determined to stay within the range of 186 μm for choroidal melanomas of up to 1.9 mm high, 220 μm for melanomas between 2 and 3 mm high, and 255 μm for melanomas higher than 3 mm.Conclusions. The use of contrast and non-contrast angiography in assessing the vasculature of choroidal melanoma is highly informative and useful for the assessment of the type of angioarchitectonics. The use of OCT angiography is more informative for tumors with an elevation of up to 3 mm. In order to increase the accuracy and effectiveness of OCTA, the identification of newly formed vessels should be carried out with regard to the parameters established.

Cardiac perforation complicating cardiac electrophysiology procedures: value of angiography and use of a closure device to avoid cardiac surgery.

Computed tomography (CT) is used for the diagnosis of cardiac perforation (CP) although it has significant limitations. We report our experience with angiography to assist in the diagnosis and management of cardiac perforation during electrophysiology procedures. Patients with suspected CP after pacemaker lead insertion (temporary = 2, permanent = 2) or during epicardial mapping/ablation (n = 2) were included. All patients underwent initial angiography with repeat study performed post-lead repositioning/withdrawal for the pacemaker cases. Patients with CP due to permanent pacing leads underwent CT comparison. In 4 pacemaker patients, temporary leads caused two acute perforations, permanent active fixation leads caused one subacute right ventricular perforation and one delayed right atrial perforation. CT overdiagnosed CP in one temporary pacemaker patient, and was non-diagnostic in an atrial lead perforation, whereas angiography was accurate in both. Angiography identified an active leak in atrial lead CP, guided percutaneous closure in one case and demonstrated sealing of perforation in all cases. In the 2 epicardial ablation cases, 1 patient underwent surgical repair after a persistent right ventricular perforation, but the other avoided surgery with novel use of an Amplazter® patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure device (Abbott, St Paul, MN, USA). Angiography may be more accurate than CT in the diagnosis of CP. Angiography is easy to perform, can be done acutely, reveals active leaks and can demonstrate sealing of perforations after percutaneous lead repositioning. Utilisation of a PDA closure device may avoid the need for surgery for RV perforation.

Application value of preoperative embolization in primary retroperitoneal tumor

To evaluate the value of angiography in clarifying the origin of the feeding arteries of primary retroperitoneal tumors and to explore the application of embolization therapy in the treating of primary retroperitoneal tumor. 68 patients with primary retroperitoneal tumor were randomized into conventional tumor resection group (n = 35) and the preoperative embolization group (n = 33). Some clinical data were compared between the preoperative embolization group and the routine operation group, including blood loss, blood transfusion, operation time and adverse reactions after embolization. All the diagnoses were pathologically confirmed. The origins of the tumor-feeding arteries were analyzed. The clinical value of embolization in assisting the surgery as well as in making prognosis was assessed. According to their location and size, primary retroperitoneal tumors had feeding arteries from different origins. In this series of cases the tumor blood supply originated from the lumbar artery (81.8%), internal iliac artery (45.5%) and adrenal artery (27.3%). In the preoperative embolization group and conventional surgery group, the blood loss was 912 ml vs. 2 500 ml (P < 0.001), the blood transfusion was 1 000 ml vs. 2 600 ml (P < 0.001), the operation time was 4.1 h vs. 5.9 h (P < 0.001), and the length of hospital stay was 12.5 d vs. 19.8 d (P < 0.001). The origins of the feeding arteries in primary retroperitoneal tumors are very complex. Preoperative embolization therapy may effectively reduce the intraoperative blood loss, postoperative adverse events, length of hospital stay, and facilitate the patients' recovery.

Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of dual-source CT and conventional angiography in detecting congenital heart diseases.

SummaryBackgroundCardiac dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) is primarily used for coronary arteries. There are limited studies about the application of DSCT for congenital heart diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of DSCT in the cardiac anomalies.Material/MethodsThe images of DSCTs and conventional angiographies of 36 patients (21 male; mean age: 8.5 month) with congenital heart diseases were reviewed and the parameters of diagnostic value of these methods were compared. Cardiac surgery was the gold standard.ResultsA total of 105 cardiac anomalies were diagnosed at surgery. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of DSCT were 98.25%, 97.9%, 98.1%, 99.07%, and 98.2%, respectively. The corresponding values of angiography were 95.04%, 98.7%, 97.8%, 98.1%, and 98%, respectively. Only one atrial septal defect (ASD) and two patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) were missed by DSCT. Angiography missed two ASD and two PDA. DSCT also provided important additional findings (n=35) about the intrathoracic or intraabdominal organs.ConclusionsDSCT is a highly accurate diagnostic modality for congenital heart diseases, obviating the need for invasive modalities. Beside its noninvasive nature, the advantage of DSCT over the angiography is its ability to provide detailed anatomical information about the heart, vessels, lungs and intraabdominal organs.

Coronary angiography for defining coronary disease? A comparison with fractional flow reserve in a large, non-selected population

Purpose: The presence of an epicardial narrowing of ≥50% diameter stenosis is traditionally considered a cornerstone of the definition of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). The present analysis was conducted to evaluate the value of angiographic measurements in assessing the functional severity of CAD in a large and non-selected patient population. Methods: In 4089 lesions, fractional flow reserve (FFR) was measured and percent diameter stenosis (DS) and minimal luminal diameter (MLD) were obtained by quantitative coronary angiography. Results: In our population the median of FFR was 0.82 (0.74 - 0.88), the median of DS was 50% (40 - 58) and the median of MLD was 1.40 (1.10 - 1.71). A significant correlation was found between FFR and DS (r = -0.43; CI: -0.45, -0.40; p<0.001) and between FFR and MLD (0.44; CI: 0.41, 0.47; p<0.001). The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of the 50% DS cutoff to predict an FFR ≤0.80 were 69%; 65% and 67%, respectively. The corresponding values were 69%, 62% and 66% for the 1.4mm MLD cutoff, respectively. Overall, DS misclassified severity in 1375 (33%) stenoses. In left main stenoses DS tends to underestimate stenosis severity, while in distal coronary segments DS tends to overestimate stenosis severity. The optimal cutoff value of DS was 42% in left main stenoses versus 54% in distal coronary segments. ![Figure][1] Correlation between FFR vs DS and MLD Conclusions: The accuracy of angiography for assessing the functional significance of epicardial stenoses is weak and strongly influenced by myocardial mass supplied by the stenotic segment. These findings question the value of angiography as the gold standard of defining significant, ischemia inducing CAD. [1]: pending:yes

Diagnose des Hirntodes: Grenzen der Angiographie nach osteoklastischer Trepanation

A 50-year-old man sustained severe skull-brain trauma with intracerebral bleeding, cortical contusion foci and fracture of the petrosal bone. He went into coma a few hours after the accident. Three days after surgical removal of an intracerebral bleeding via a frontoparietal osteoclastic trepanation (removal of a 4 x 5 cm piece of bone) there occurred complete brainstem areflexia, respiratory arrest and drop in temperature; the encephalogram was isoelectric. There was thus no clinical-neurological doubt of brain death. But cranial digital subtraction angiography, generally considered to give the most reliable evidence of irreversible loss of cerebral functions, showed contrast medium in the branches of the left cerebral artery. The diagnostic criteria of brain death, as proposed by the Federal German Chamber of Physicians (Bundesärztekammer), were thus not exactly met, and despite the clinically obvious brain death a contemplated removal of organs for transplantation was therefore not undertaken. The patient died 6 hours after the angiography. This case shows that the value of angiography for the diagnosis of brain death may sometimes be limited, at least in those cases in which osteoclastic trepanation has been performed or there are other causes for a skull defect, because they can prevent the rise of intracranial pressure which brings about the cerebral circulatory arrest.

Vergleich bildgebender Verfahren in der Diagnostik von Gallenblasen- und Gallengangkarzinomen

Fourteen patients with carcinomas of the gallbladder and eight patients with biliary duct carcinomas were examined by CT, sonography, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC), endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) and angiography. The results were compared retrospectively. Sonography proved suitable as a screening method. For accurate demonstration, this should be supplemented by CT. PTC and ERC demonstrate intraductal extension of biliary carcinomas and of gallbladder carcinomas infiltrating the bile ducts. The value of angiography consists merely in the preoperative demonstration of the vascular anatomy.

Arterial T-Graft in Coronary Surgery: Comparison of Selective Coronary Angiography and Multi-Slice Computed Tomography

The main aim of our study was to compare the results and value of angiography and multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) after coronary artery bypass grafting using complex arterial conduit combinations. Twenty-six patients underwent coronary surgery. In all patients, we utilized a T-graft (free arterial graft centrally implanted into the left internal thoracic artery IN SITU). Postoperative coronary angiography and MSCT were carried out prior to discharge. The results were interpreted separately by two different investigators. One hundred and thirteen distal anastomoses using 59 grafts for T-graft combinations were performed in 26 patients. A mean of 3.5 peripheral anastomoses was established per patient. Angiography showed a bypass graft patency rate of 94.6 % (56/59). In angiography, the patency rate of anastomoses was 96.5 % (109/113). All occlusions were identified in sequential anastomoses. The bypass patency rate measured by MSCT was 100 % and the patency rate of anastomoses 100 %. Based on these results, MSCT showed a sensitivity of 98.9 %. The specificity was 50.8 %, the positive predictive value was 94.6 % and the negative predictive value had a level of 99.9 %. MSCT is a simple, less invasive and useful method of monitoring results after coronary surgery including anastomosis and graft patency after complex arterial grafts. Its value may be restricted for sequential anastomoses and angiography should be preferentially used in these cases.

Pseudo-aneurysm of the Lateral Circumflex Femoral Artery

We describe an unusual case of pseudo-aneurysm of the lateral circumflex femoral artery following fixation of an undisplaced intracapsular neck of femur fracture. We highlight the need for a high index of suspicion and the value of angiography as the investigation of choice.

T-grafts in coronary surgery: Comparison of arterial coronary angiography and multi slice computed tomography

Objectives: Main focus of our study was to compare the results and value of angiography and multi slice computed tomography (MSCT) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using complex conduit combinations. Generally, MSCT is considered to be less sensitive and less specific regarding bypass patency, but has the considerable advantage of being a less invasive.

Role of angiography for the assessment of coronary artery disease in patients with diabetes mellitus

Diabetes is associated with a two- to fourfold increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis are the leading causes of death in diabetic populations. Because there are reports of benefits associated with active treatment of ischemia, including revascularization, findings from pathological and angiographic studies confirming more diffuse and distal atherosclerosis in diabetic patients highlight the value of angiography to define the optimal therapeutic strategy in these patients. While coronary angiography cannot be recommended as a screening test for asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with diabetes, it should be emphasized that it is necessary to determine the severity of the underlying atherosclerotic disease, especially the presence of left main, three-vessel or proximal left anterior descending artery disease in patients deemed to be at moderate or high risk on the basis of the clinical evaluation and noninvasive testing. Angiography remains the only helpful modality in determining the suitability of the coronary vessels for either percutaneous interventions or surgical bypass when indicated.

Is pre-intervention intravascular ultrasound necessary in evaluating target lesion calcification in patients undergoing transcatheter therapy?

To identify a subset of patients with a high probability of extensive calcification for further intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination, the frequency and extent of target lesion calcification as assessed by IVUS and its correlations with age, gender and risk factors as well as the value of angiography in identifying ultrasound calcification were analyzed in 88 patients undergoing balloon angioplasty for significant coronary atherosclerotic stenosis. The extent of calcification was semi-quantitatively graded as 0: no calcification; +: calcification arc < 90 degrees; ++: calcification arc from 90 degrees to 180 degrees; : calcification arc > 180 degrees. The distribution pattern of calcification was classified as superficial, deep or mixed. The results indicate: (1) the frequency of target lesion calcification was 38.6%, of which 52.9% showed a superficial pattern and 56.0% had a calcification arc < 90 degrees; and (2) only age was significantly associated with target lesion calcification in all of the patients. The frequency of calcification was remarkably higher in patients > or = 60 years old than in patients < or = 60 years old (61.9% vs 17.4%, p < 0.001); (3) among patients less than 60 years old, those with calcification had a higher average number of risk factors than those without; and (4) the total sensitivity of angiography in identifying ultrasound calcification was 43.6%, with a significantly higher sensitivity for calcification arc > 180 degrees and mixed pattern. In conclusion, pre-intervention IVUS may be necessary in patients > or = 60 years old and in those < 60 years old with more than two risk factors in selecting devices to optimize interventional strategies.

Angiography of visceral aneurysms

Visceral aneurysyms are rare vascular lesions. Five patients with such lesions seen in our hospital during the last decade are presented. Four patients presented with an acute intra-abdominal haemorrhage and three required an emergency laparotomy. In none of these patients could al aneurysms be detected at operation. One patient had a 4-month history of non-specific epigastric discomfort and a preoperative diagnosis was made with ultrasound. In all patients angiography was imperative for exact depiction of the aneurysms. Various diagnostic and therapeutic aspects are discussed and the persisting value of angiography emhasised.

Haemodynamic model of a unilateral iliac stenosis with an aortoiliac bypass

A hydrodynamic model for the part of the human arterial network below the renal arteries has been constructed using specially fabricated distensible tubes and a pulsatile pump to simulate an aortoiliac bypass. The experiments and the computer model indicated that no 'steal' occurred due to the insertion of the bypass graft. Also, the results showed that the length of the stenosis had a non-systematic apparent effect on the physiological significance of the obstruction and that the kinetic power represented only a small percentage of the total power. The total power efficiency of the bypass graft was unaffected by its elastic properties. The experimental investigation also indicated that the pressure drop across the stenosis was considerably larger than the drop calculated using the Poiseuille flow relationship when the stenosis was severe. Therefore, a critical arterial stenosis value cannot be defined as an obstruction of a constant percentage reduction of luminal area. It varies directly with the effective cross-sectional area and inversely with the flow rate. The value of angiography in assessing the functional significance of any arterial stenosis is therefore limited. A better method for evaluation requires quantitative measurements of local blood pressure and blood flow, not only at rest, but also under conditions creating augmented flows due to exercise.

Hemifacial spasm: evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance tomographic angiography.

We evaluated 37 patients with hemifacial spasm and 16 age-matched control patients with other neurological disorders using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, MR angiography, and MR tomographic angiography. MR tomographic angiography is a new technique using computer reconstruction of MR angiographic images to create coronal angiotomes that display tissue and arterial structures on the same image. Twenty-four of 37 (64.9%) patients with hemifacial spasm had ipsilateral vascular compression of cranial nerve VII or the pons noted by this technique, whereas only 1 of 16 (6.3%) control patients had compression. MR imaging and MR angiography were less sensitive and less specific in evaluating for vascular compression. This study supports vascular compression of cranial nerve VII or the pons as a cause of hemifacial spasm, and demonstrates MR tomographic angiography's value as an excellent, noninvasive technique to demonstrate the compression.

The value of angiography in the follow-up of coronary involvement in mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (Kawasaki disease)

From September 1976 to August 1988, 205 patients with mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (Kawasaki disease) were evaluated; 29 were suspected of having coronary artery abnormalities because of either abnormalities on echocardiography (n = 21), congestive heart failure (n = 3), prolonged fever (n = 3) or cardiac arrest (n = 2). All 29 underwent cardiac catheterization and 22 were found to have coronary artery abnormalities. An additional 4 patients were diagnosed solely by autopsy; therefore, 26 patients (12%) in this series had coronary artery abnormalities.The clearance of contrast medium from the coronary arteries after aortography was significantly prolonged in patients with coronary artery aneurysms as compared with that in a control group (p < 0.001). All patients exhibited delayed clearance of contrast medium on the initial aortogram as compared with that on follow-up studies (p < 0.01). Of the 22 patients with angiographically documented coronary artery abnormalities, 19 had right and 20 had left coronary artery involvement; the majority had diffuse involvement of both vessels.In 15 patients who underwent follow-up catheterization 6 months to 7 years after initial study, complete resolution was observed in only 37% of affected coronary artery segments. In four patients, three of whom were asymptomatic, severely stenotic or occluded coronary artery segments were found on late catheterization. Coronary artery bypass surgery was performed in two of these patients. Echocardiography did not detect any of these stenoses. Although echocardiography is important for initial diagnosis and serial evaluation, angiography is essential to fully define the nature and extent of coronary artery lesions, particularly if stenosis is present.

The value of angiography in cerebrovascular disease.

The expanding availability of digital subtraction angiography has essentially contributed in lowering the risks in the use of angiography of the cerebral arteries. The best results in imaging the cerebral artery are achieved by conventional subtraction angiography after selective catheterisation. This is, however, only important for diagnosis in intracerebral pathological changes distal of the Circulus Willisi or in connection with preoperative interventional radiological treatment. Pre-clinical diagnosis of patients with cerebrovascular occlusive disease as well as clinical diagnosis with Doppler and B-scan US sonography can be optimally complemented by DSA using 4-5 French catheters entered in the thoracic ascending aorta. Using this technique, the sensitivity and specificity with an image-matrix of 512 is diagnostically adequate and includes an only limited examination risk. Complication with lasting neurological defects will be least observed after intravenous pre-atrial application of contrast media and most after selective angiography of the carotid artery. Here the extent of the multiple arteriosclerotic obliteration is of essential importance. The quality of interpretation of the diagnostic findings essentially depends on indications not only about the grade of obliteration but also on the morphological details. At present DSA with application of contrast media into the thoracic ascending aorta in combination with the duplex-scan method represent the optimum for the diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease. In spite of lower specificity intravenous application of contrast media has to be preferred for post-operative controls and controls of progressing disease with "screening".

The continued value of angiography in planning surgical resection of benign and malignant hepatic tumors in children

The continued value of angiography in planning surgical resection of benign and malignant hepatic tumors in children

Wounds of the extremities in proximity to major arteries: value of angiography in the detection of arterial injury.

The place of angiography in the diagnosis of arterial injuries in cases of penetrating wounds of the extremities has been a source of controversy, especially when the injury is in proximity to the artery but there is no clinical evidence of arterial injury. The positive yield of angiography has been reported to be between 6% and 20%, but most angiographers suspect the yield to be lower. The cost of angiography continues to increase. A retrospective analysis was performed in 507 patients with 534 possible arterial injuries associated with wounds near vessels. Thirty-one arteries were considered by the radiologist to have surgically significant injury. Seven patients did not have surgery. On the basis of surgical findings in 24 patients, there was a true-positive angiographic yield of 3.6% as well as five false-positive angiograms. Angiographic sensitivity was 100%, specificity 99%, accuracy 99%, positive predictive value 85%, and negative predictive value 100%. Ten (2.0%) minor angiographic complications and two (0.4%) major complications occurred. There were three surgical complications in negative surgeries. False-positive angiograms can probably be reduced by more circumspect evaluation of minor abnormalities. However, the 3.6% true-positive yield must be balanced against the complications of surgery and angiography and the associated costs. Although delayed diagnosis and therapy of arterial injury are less satisfactory than early repair, angiography of wounds in proximity to major extremity arteries should be reserved for situations in which exclusion of injury is critical to overall management of the patient.

The value of angiography in soft tissue leiomyosarcomas of the extremities.

The angiographic findings in eight patients with soft tissue leiomyosarcoma of the extremities are presented. All tumours were hypervascular. Vascular compression was seen in four tumours and intravenous tumour growth could be demonstrated in three. These findings are of great value in the planning of surgical treatment. The importance of securing an optimal venous phase of the examination is emphasized.