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Radiography: vascular contrast studies
Introduction
- Injection of positive contrast into circulation allows visualization of vascular system.
Uses
- Investigation of:
- Cardiac chamber size.
- Cardiac wall thickness.
- Position of blood vessels.
- Suspected shunts in heart Patent ductus arteriosus , liver Congenital portosystemic shunt (CPSS) or circulation.
- Thromboembolic disease, aortic or pulmonary.
- Assessment of perfusion.
Advantages
- Relatively simple procedure.
- Equipment available in general practice.
- Good anatomical detail.
Disadvantages
- General anesthesia often required (and patient may be severely compromised).
- Fluoroscopy required for selective angiography.
Alternative techniques
- Scintigraphy (allows assessment of vascular perfusion and ventilation perfusion ratio).
- Ultrasonography for measurement of cardiac chamber size, presence of vascular shunts and thrombotic disease.
- Fluoroscopy gives better visualization of dynamic lesions.
Time required
Preparation
- 15 min.
Procedure
- 10 min.
Decision taking
Criteria for choosing test
- Is the examination appropriate?
- Can you make the diagnosis without it?
- Will your management of the case be affected by the outcome of the examination?
Risk assessment
- For many conditions where vascular contrast studies are indicated the patient is likely to be clinically ill, eg pulmonary thromboembolism, therefore careful assessment of risks of anesthesia/sedation should be made.
Requirements
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Preparation
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Technique
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Aftercare
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Wise M (1982) Non-selective angiocardiography in the normal dog and cat. Vet Radiol 23 (4), 144-151 VetMedResource.
Other sources of information
- Fox P R & Bond B R (1983) Non-selective and selective angiocardiography. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 13 (2), 259-272 PubMed.