Carbon dioxide digital subtraction arteriography: a pilot study.

To investigate the diagnostic value of carbon dioxide arteriograms in patients with peripheral vascular disease, ten patients in whom standard contrast arteriography was contraindicated underwent carbon dioxide digital subtraction arteriography. Lower extremity ischemia or severe hypertension with renal insufficiency were the indications for arteriography. Standard contrast arteriography was precluded by chronic nondialysis-dependent renal insufficiency, severe congestive heart failure or contrast hypersensitivity. All critical arterial segments were well visualized with the exception of the infrapopliteal arterial tree in three patients. Adequate imaging of this segment required the addition of 20 cc of dilute nonionic contrast. Guided by carbon dioxide digital subtraction arteriography, four percutaneous transluminal angioplasties and three reconstructive procedures were successfully performed. One patient did not have surgically reconstructible disease and two had renal arteries without critical stenoses. Renal function transiently deteriorated in one patient who received 20 cc of nonionic contrast. No adverse events occurred due to carbon dioxide. Clinically useful diagnostic arteriograms are possible using carbon dioxide as the contrast agent.