Peripheral Arteriography Using the Reactive Hyperemia

Abstract

Various kinds of vascular surgery for occlusive diseases of peripheral artery have become rather popular and fairly good results have been obtained. One of the most important factors influencing the results of operation is the condition of peripheral outflow tracts. Therefore, an arteriography extended to the very peripheral region is necessitated. Concerning the lower extremities. especially in the case with occlusive lesions, it is fairly difficult to have good visualization from the thigh down to the foot with usual methods. To dissolve this problem, the author tried to take the arteriography experimentally and clinically under the various conditions which were presumed to dilate arteries such as spinal anesthesia, sympathectomy, intra-arterial injection of Imidalin or Procaine and reactive hyperemia, and knew that we could have satisfactory results using the reactive hyperemia. Although it was quite possible that sympathectomy might promote the development of collaterals, the experimental proof was not yet sufficient. Applying the author's method, this problem has been dissolved experimentally. Arteriogram under the reactive hyperemia could be presumed to give the dynamic and functional interpretations. We have applied this new method upon many patients with various circulatory disturbances, and had several interesting findings. In this report, only the basic points are described.