Bipedicle fasciocutaneous flaps for inframalleolar vascular graft coverage at the ankle/foot.

In 9 patients requiring inframalleolar bypass (11 extremities), intraoperative consult revealed exposed saphenous vein grafts at either the medial ankle or the dorsum of the foot in which primary wound closure resulted in the reduction or occlusion of blood flow. In these patients, longitudinally oriented bipedicle fasciocutaneous flaps were raised with widths of 3 to 4 cm and lengths ranging from 12 to 18 cm, with Doppler confirmation of discrete fascial perforators. Split-thickness skin grafts were placed in the wake of the flaps. Patient follow-up ranged from 2 to 78 months. All wounds healed, and 10 of 11 limbs were salvaged. Bipedicle flap coverage allows reconstruction of soft-tissue defects with the transposition of local tissues of similar qualities, avoiding the need for more complex distant tissue reconstruction. The inclusion of the deep fascia with the flap enhances its vascular perfusion, even in the ischemic lower extremity, with concurrent revascularization. The reliability of this type of flap is not dependent on traditional concepts of length-to-width ratios, but rather on standard principles of angiosome anatomy.

The porcine hemodialysis access model.

PURPOSE: To create a porcine hemodialysis access model that reliably reproduces intimal hyperplasia (IH) of the outflow vein similar to that which causes access failure in human patients undergoing dialysis treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surgical technique for creation of side-to-side iliac-artery-to-ipsilateral-iliac-vein (IAV) native fistulas and IAV conduits was optimized in three standard-bred pigs. Persistent patency of fistulas and conduits was demonstrated in two additional pigs allowed to survive for 1 week. IAV fistulas and contralateral 2-cm polytetrafluoroethylene IAV conduits were created in five additional pigs. Venous outflow from these fistulas and conduits was evaluated with venography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) immediately after creation (day 0) and at 2-week intervals for as long as 64 days. Animals were killed at 30 days (n = 1), 42 days (n = 2), or 64 days (n = 2), and the arteries, veins, and conduits were evaluated histologically. RESULTS: IAV native fistulas remained patent until the animals' death and conduits remained patent for at least 14 days in four of five pigs; both the fistula and conduit likely occluded before 16-day follow-up in the fifth pig. At 42-64 days, venography demonstrated maximum fistula outflow vein diameter stenoses of 53%-76% and maximum conduit outflow vein stenoses of 44%-84%, and IVUS demonstrated maximum area stenoses of 64%-86% and 43%-82%, respectively. Three of five conduits occluded, one before 16-day follow-up, one between 14 and 28 days, and the other after 42 days. Histologic sections demonstrated IH predominantly affecting the veins at the anastomoses and central (cephalad) to the anastomoses in all pigs. CONCLUSION: This porcine model reproduces IH in the fistula or conduit outflow vein with measurable stenosis. Such a model might allow relevant preclinical evaluation of interventional devices and techniques intended to reduce the effects of IH in human patients undergoing dialysis treatments.

Stent grafting of abdominal aortic aneurysms: pre-and postoperative evaluation with multislice helical CT.

Endovascular stent grafting of abdominal aortic aneurysms is a new technique that may replace open surgery in selected cases. Pre-and postoperative angiography can be replaced by helical CT. This pictorial essay describes and illustrates the use of multislice helical CT where maximum intensity projection and multiplanar reformats play a central role in the evaluation.

Accuracy of CO2 angiography in vessel diameter assessment: a comparative study of CO2 versus iodinated contrast material in an aortoiliac flow model.

PURPOSE: Precise vessel sizing prior to endovascular intervention is critical to achievement of technical success. Diameter measurements obtained with CO2 and iodinated contrast material in an aortoiliac flow model were compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aortoiliac flow was simulated in a compliant, silicone elastomer phantom of the aortoiliac system using an autoperfusion pump (flow volume, approximately 1100 mL/min; mean arterial pressure, 70-80 mm Hg at 80-90 cycles/minute) and a glycerol solution (40% by weight; viscosity 3.7 centipoise at 20 degrees C). Digital subtraction angiography was performed with the phantom in the anteroposterior (AP) plane and in three oblique planes with both CO2 and iodinated contrast material. Five sets of images for both CO2 and iodinated contrast material were obtained for each projection. Two readers independently performed vessel diameter measurements at seven sites (distal abdominal aorta, bilateral proximal and distal common iliac, and mid-external iliac arteries). The model was then evaluated with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) using a 20-MHz imaging catheter. Actual diameter measurements were taken from the inner wall to inner wall in orthogonal planes at the same locations within the model, as described previously. Analysis was performed to determine local difference in measurements (t tests), difference when compared to the standard AP projection with iodinated contrast material (Dunnett's test) and inter-reader variability (Pitman's test). RESULTS: The contralateral iliac vessel segment did not opacify when imaging with CO2 in the 45 degrees obliquities; thus, 22 of 28 sites were available for comparison. At 18 of 22 (81.8%) sites, there was significant difference in vessel measurements (P < .01), with CO2 yielding a significantly larger diameter at 17 of 22 (77.3%) of the sites. The difference in mean diameter ranged from -1.28 to 4.47 mm. With use of the AP iodinated contrast material run as the standard, there were significant differences (P < .05) in vessel diameter at 17 of 22 (77.3%) and four of 21 (19%) sites for CO2 and iodinated contrast material respectively, with CO2 tending toward greater diameter measurements. Significant differences (P < .05) in variance between the two readers were present but occurred primarily with CO2 in the AP projection and iodinated contrast material in the 45 degrees left obliquity. With use of IVUS as the standard, there were significant differences (P < .05) in the measured vessel diameters with CO2 at nine of 22 (40.9%) of the sites and with iodinated contrast material at 17 of 28 (60.7%) of the sites. Of the measurements made with CO2, seven of nine (77.8%) of the measurements were of larger diameter than those obtained with IVUS. By contrast, of the measurements made with iodinated contrast material angiography, IVUS measured larger diameters in 16 of 17 (94.1%). CONCLUSION: CO2 angiography consistently yielded significantly larger vessel measurements when compared to both iodinated contrast angiography and WVUS. These results have important implications in regards to planning intervention based solely on CO2 angiography. Further evaluation is needed before recommending CO2 for vessel sizing in clinical practice.

Evaluation of the role of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 in a rodent model of chronic venous hypertension.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in cutaneous leukocyte trapping in venous disease, we used our rodent model of venous hypertension (VH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: VH was created in adult rats by ligation of the inferior vena cava, bilateral common iliac veins, and bilateral common femoral veins. In the Phase I experimental (exptl) group, anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody (1A29) was given intravenously prior to venous ligations. Acute venous pressures were measured in the exptl and control (ctrl) (ligation only) groups. Bilateral forelimb and hindlimb skin specimens were harvested for myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. In Phase II, VH was created in a chronic group; in a sham-operated group, ties were placed around the same vessels without ligations. Two weeks later, venous pressures were measured and radiolabeled ((125)I and (131)I) monoclonal antibody (mAb) to ICAM-1 was injected and allowed to circulate for 5 min before the level of radiolabeled antibody within forelimb and hindlimb specimens was measured. RESULTS: In the acute study with 1A29, hindlimb pressures were significantly elevated in both the ctrl (n = 4) and exptl (n = 4) hindlimbs (15.4 +/- 0.239 and 13.8 +/- 1.89 mm Hg, respectively) compared with ctrl and exptl forelimbs (1.38 +/- 0.554 and 1.50 +/- 0.612 mm Hg, respectively). However, MPO activity was significantly elevated in the hindlimbs of the ctrl group compared with the hindlimbs of the exptl animals (19.8 +/- 1.54 U vs 6.71 +/- 2.46 U). In the chronic VH rats (n = 5) given radiolabeled anti-ICAM-1 mAb, the hindlimb pressures (10.1 +/- 4.52 mm Hg) were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) compared with forelimb pressures (1 +/- 0.447 mm Hg) and compared with the forelimb and hindlimb pressures in the sham-operated animals (n = 4) (1.63 +/- 0.813 and 4.25 +/- 2.13 mm Hg, respectively). However, there was not a significant difference in the quantity of ICAM-1-hindlimb versus forelimb or chronic VH versus sham. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-ICAM-1 mAb decreased MPO activity in hypertensive hindlimb skin, supporting the instrumental role of ICAM-1 in cutaneous leukocyte trapping. However, the constituent endothelial ICAM-1 is not elevated by VH.

The value of acetazolamide single photon emission computed tomography scans in the preoperative evaluation of asymptomatic critical carotid stenosis.

PURPOSE: Acetazolamide (ACZ)-enhanced single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans can assess both cerebral perfusion and vascular reactivity. Patients with asymptomatic critical carotid artery stenosis were evaluated for cerebral vascular reactivity to determine the effect of extracranial occlusive disease and the effect of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) on intracerebral reactivity. METHODS: In 44 patients with asymptomatic critical carotid artery stenosis, cerebral perfusion and vascular reactivity were assessed before CEA with resting and ACZ-enhanced SPECT scans. All patients had a 70% or greater ipsilateral internal carotid artery stenosis. Preoperative ACZ-enhanced SPECT scans were obtained, usually 5 days before CEA. Postoperative ACZ-enhanced SPECT scans were obtained in 30 patients. RESULTS: Preoperative SPECT scans were asymmetric, revealing focal (n = 19) or global (n = 15) decreased reactivity in 34 patients (77%). Ten patients had symmetric or normal reactivity. After CEA, 23 patients demonstrated an improvement in reactivity ipsilateral to the side of surgery. The remaining seven patients failed to improve after surgery. CONCLUSION: Although all patients had a high-grade internal carotid stenosis, nearly a quarter of the patients had excellent intracerebral collateral flow. Only 71% of patients demonstrated improved intracerebral vasoreactivity after CEA. The lack of improvement in the other patients may have resulted from intracerebral pathology or lack of improvement in the extracranial carotid hemodynamics.

Increased hindlimb leukocyte concentration in a chronic rodent model of venous hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiologic mechanism for tissue damage in chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is venous hypertension (VH), the primary mediator behind leukocyte trapping in tissues. We developed a new rodent model of chronic hindlimb VH to allow testing of the microvascular dysfunction that occurs in clinical CVI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hindlimb VH was created in adult rats ( approximately 350 g, male, Wistar) by ligation of the inferior vena cava, bilateral common iliac veins, and bilateral common femoral veins. In a sham group, a loose tie was placed around the same vessels. One week later, pressure catheters were placed in the right common carotid artery, right internal jugular vein (forelimb), and right superficial epigastric vein (hindlimb). Measurements were taken 15 min later, to allow for stabilization. Bilateral forelimb and hindlimb skin specimens were harvested. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay, an indicator of tissue leukocyte trapping, was performed using a well-described, standard technique. RESULTS: In the chronic rats (n = 8), the hindlimb pressures (12.6 +/- 3.2 mm Hg) were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) when compared to forelimb pressures (1.75 +/- 0.71) and to chronic sham rat (n = 6) hindlimb (3.3 +/- 1.2) pressures. There was a significant (P < 0.05) elevation of MPO activity in hindlimbs of the chronic group (32.9 +/- 13.9 units) when compared to forelimbs (17 +/- 11.3) and sham hindlimbs (18 +/- 10.2). CONCLUSIONS: In our chronic model, as in clinical studies and previous acute investigations, we have demonstrated, using an MPO assay, an increase in the amount of cutaneous leukocytes in the hindlimbs with chronic VH but not in experimental forelimbs or sham hindlimbs or forelimbs.

Primary aortic mural thrombus: presentation and treatment.

The clinical presentation of patients with acute lower-limb ischemia and primary aortic thrombus prompted this review. Following recognition of the first case in early 1994, relevant patients (n = 6) were kept in a database and were reviewed for presentation, treatment, and follow-up. The median age was 41 and five patients were male. Angiography, computed tomography, and/or magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated one or more aortic sessile or pedunculated thrombus(i) without associated atherosclerotic disease. In two cases, a retropancreatic intraaortic mural thrombus was associated with severe pancreatitis. All other cases presented with acute lower-limb emboli requiring limb salvage embolectomy. Because of significant patient illness, systemic anticoagulation was chosen acutely to prevent recurrent emboli. Interestingly, serial studies demonstrated aortic thrombus resolution. Failure to continue warfarin therapy resulted in recurrent problems (n = 1) unless the instigating event had resolved (n = 3). There were no deaths or amputations. We concluded that surgical embolectomy, when required, with subsequent anticoagulation, results in limb salvage and allows for eventual resolution of the primary aortic thrombus. Long-term anticoagulation is required unless the etiologic process resolves. The literature describes patients with atherosclerosis and overlying thrombus but fails to describe the approach to patients with primary thrombus formation.

Long-term results after inferior vena caval resection during retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for metastatic germ cell cancer.

PURPOSE: The long-term sequelae of inferior vena caval (IVC) resection during retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell testis tumor (NSGCT) were assessed. METHODS: Between December 1973 and September 1996, 2126 of our patients underwent RPLND for retroperitoneal nodal metastases from NSGCT; 955 had bulky disease (stages B2, B3, or C) after cytoreduction chemotherapy. Of this latter group, 65 patients (6.8%) required infrarenal IVC resection during tumor excision for cure. Our protocol does not include IVC reconstruction in such cases. Indications for IVC resection included tumor encasement or encroachment, postchemotherapy desmoplastic compression, or thrombus with tumor or clot in which cavotomy and thrombectomy cannot be performed. RESULTS: Twenty-four of the 65 patients (postoperative follow-up period range, 11 months to 16 years; median, 89 months) were alive and able to be examined or interviewed by written and/or phone survey to assess the long-term morbidity of their IVC resection. Based on the 1994 American Venous Forum International Consensus Committee reporting standards, the clinical classifications of these 24 patients were C0A (4), C3S (4), C4A (2), C4S (13), and C6A (1). Long-term disability was mild or absent in 75% of these patients. CONCLUSION: Only 1 (4.2%) of the patients surveyed had chronic venous sequelae that would fulfill the accepted criteria for subsequent elective IVC reconstruction. Despite recent reports of IVC reconstruction demonstrating relatively good patency rates and low morbidity, the addition of such a complex, time-consuming procedure to extensive retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for metastatic NSGCT involving IVC resection is generally not necessary.

Phantom for calibration of preoperative imaging modalities in endoluminal stent-graft repair of aortic aneurysms.

PURPOSE: Successful deployment of an endoluminal prosthesis for repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is critically dependent on accurate preoperative assessment of aneurysm morphology with use of such modalities as contrast aortography (CA), spiral computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and intravascular ultrasonography (IVUWS). The authors describe a new phantom that could be used both to calibrate these four imaging modalities and to determine which imaging technique(s) is (are) best for preoperative AAA sizing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A life-sized AAA model was constructed of silicone elastomers with luminal access ports for introduction of contrast media and catheters. Contrast material-filled rings were positioned circumferentially along the length of the model as reference points for dimension measurements. The modalities were compared to each other relative to the actual dimensions of the model, as determined at its construction. RESULTS: In this pilot study, all modalities were relatively similar in their ability to measure the dimensions of the AAA model. Length measurements accounted for most of the interinstitutional and interobserver variability. MR imaging had the least variability. CONCLUSIONS: The authors developed a new phantom that can be imaged successfully with CA, CT, MR imaging, and IVUS in repetitive, reproducible fashion. Structural refinements and future larger scale, statistically significant evaluations of such models should establish this as a useful adjunct in multicenter endoluminal stent-graft trials to allow calibration of imaging modalities and to determine which modality or modalities is (are) best for preoperative AAA sizing.

Aggressive management of vascular injuries of the thoracic outlet.

PURPOSE: We present a review of 35 patients who underwent an operation for subclavian (n = 18) or axillary (n = 17) vessel injury. In some patients, both an artery and a vein were damaged, resulting in a total of 30 arterial and 16 venous injuries. METHODS: The wounding source included a gunshot (n = 19), a stab wound (n = 9,) and blunt trauma (n = 7). Seven patients had hypotension and were taken immediately to the operating room. Seventeen patients had diminished or absent pulses, whereas 13 patients had normal pulses despite an arterial injury. Associated injuries included nerve injury (n = 15), pneumohemothorax (n = 5), and fractures (n = 7). Angiography in 21 patients demonstrated an intimal flap (n = 8), extravasation (n = 5), a pseudoaneurysm (n = 3), an arteriovenous fistula (n = 2), and occlusion (n = 1). Two angiograms were normal. Arterial repair was accomplished by interposition graft (n = 17), primary repair (n = 9), patch angioplasty (n = 3,) and ligation (n = 1). RESULTS: No functional deficits occurred in patients with an isolated vascular injury. Seven patients with associated brachial plexus injuries experienced severe disability. One arm of a patient was amputated. Two patients died. CONCLUSIONS: The use of angiography helps to confirm and localize injuries. Prompt correction of the vascular injury avoids disability resulting from ischemia. Although the amputation rate is low with vascular repair, the functional disability resulting from associated nerve injuries can be devastating.

Elevated cutaneous leukocyte concentration in a rodent model of acute venous hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiologic mechanism of the skin pathology in chronic venous insufficiency is venous hypertension (VHTN). Microvascular dysfunction involving leukocytes has recently been proposed as the primary mediator of tissue damage from VHTN. We developed a rodent model allowing the investigation of the effects of acute VHTN on tissue leukocyte concentration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under general anesthesia, adult male rats underwent transperitoneal isolation of the inferior vena cava and the common iliac veins and arteries. Bilateral thigh incisions allowed isolation of the common femoral veins and superficial epigastric veins (SEV: distal branch of the femoral vein in the thigh). Pressure in the SEV and flow in the iliac artery were measured before (T-Pre), immediately after (T-0), and for 135 min (T-1) after ligation of the cava, iliac, and femoral veins. Sham rats were identical except no venous ligation was performed. After the T-1 pressures were obtained, the distal hindlimb and forelimb skin was harvested and processed to measure myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, an index of the number of tissue leukocytes. To evaluate the effect of arterial flow reduction known to occur with acute venous ligation, the above measurements were made in an Aortic group of rats in which the aorta was manually stenosed. RESULTS: This venous ligation technique resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) and sustained rise in venous pressure (T-Pre, 9.91 +/- 0.94 and T-1, 26.22 +/- 2.15). Hypertensive rats had significantly elevated hindlimb MPO activity (4.77 +/- 0.36) vs forelimb (0.60 +/- 0.39), Sham (hindlimb, 0.77 +/- 0.41; forelimb, 0.10 +/- 0.05), and Aortic (hindlimb, 0.96 +/- 0.38; forelimb, 0.58 +/- 0.11) controls. CONCLUSIONS: Acute VHTN was successfully created by venous ligation in this newly developed rat model. VHTN, but not arterial flow reduction, was associated with significantly elevated hindlimb skin MPO activity, suggesting that leukocytes may indeed be mediators of skin pathology in VHTN. This model will allow further investigation into the mechanisms of microvascular dysfunction in VHTN.

Experimental repair of venous valvular insufficiency using a cryopreserved venous valve allograft aided by a distal arteriovenous fistula.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the patency and hemodynamic impact of a cryopreserved allograft venous valve transplanted to the superficial femoral vein (SFV) of a canine insufficiency model aided by a distal arteriovenous fistula (dAVF). METHODS: Eight greyhounds had intravenous hemodynamic parameters measured (venous filling time [VFT], 90% of venous refilling time [VRT90], and simulated ambulatory venous pressure [AVP]) before (T0) and after complete hindlimb venous valvulotomy (T1) to produce venous insufficiency. Simultaneously, a valve-containing vein segment was harvested from the opposite SFV or external jugular vein (n = 1) and cryopreserved. Three weeks later a blood type-matched cryopreserved valve was transplanted to the insufficient SFV aided by a low-flow (n = 4) or high-flow (n = 4) dAVF. The fistula was ligated in 3 to 6 weeks, and venous indexes (T2) were obtained 3 weeks later. Analysis of variances compared the venous indexes at T0, T1, and T2 for statistical significance. Gross and histologic inspection assessed valve integrity. RESULTS: Two valves aided by a low-flow dAVF exhibited thrombosis and scarring. The hemodynamics of the six remaining valves demonstrated normalization of the VRT90, an AVP consistent with insufficiency, and a VFT between normal and total venous insufficiency. The patent valves were normal on gross examination and by histologic examination with signs of normal external healing. CONCLUSIONS: A cryopreserved venous valve allograft transplanted to the SFV of an incompetent hindlimb partially corrects venous hemodynamics. A high-flow arteriovenous fistula most consistently preserves transplant patency.

Cerebral vascular reactivity assessed with acetazolamide single photon emission computer tomography scans before and after carotid endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: In 64 patients, cerebral perfusion and vascular reactivity were assessed before and after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) using acetazolamide (ACZ)-enhanced single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT). Twenty-five patients were asymptomatic, whereas the remainder were symptomatic. Sixty-one patients had a > or = 70% ipsilateral internal carotid artery stenosis. RESULTS: Fifty SPECT scans revealed decreased vascular reactivity. Twenty-three showed infarcts. Fourteen patients had normal studies. Twenty of the SPECT scans of asymptomatic patients demonstrated poor vascular reactivity. After CEA, 39 patients had improved ipsilateral vasoreactivity. In 12 patients, contralateral improvement was also found. CONCLUSION: ACZ-enhanced SPECT scans, by assessing cerebral perfusion and vascular reactivity, may help to identify patients at risk of stroke should perfusion further diminish. Postoperative studies confirm improvement in vascular reactivity. ACZ-enhanced SPECT scans may provide objective evidence for the selection of patients with a high-grade asymptomatic carotid stenosis for CEA.

Successful treatment of an iatrogenic infrarenal aortic dissection with serial Wallstents.

We report a patient who presented with acute lower extremity ischemia 13 days following removal of an intraaortic balloon pump. Dissection of the infrarenal aorta, extending into the left iliac artery, was found at operation. The patient's recent myocardial infarction, prolonged ischemia with compartment syndrome, otherwise normal aortoiliac and infrainguinal arteries and the necessity for suprarenal aortic clamping for surgical repair, were all factors in the decision for endovascular repair of the dissection. Infrarenal aortic and left iliac Wallstents, placed intraoperatively, successfully occluded the false lumen of the dissection. The patient was discharged after an uncomplicated recovery and is asymptomatic with palpable pedal pulses and triphasic pedal Doppler waveforms 1 year following the procedure.

Comparison of spiral CT scan and arteriography for evaluation of renal and visceral arteries.

Renal and visceral artery images obtained concurrently with spiral CT and conventional arteriography were compared for 32 patients. Indications for imaging were occlusive disease (n = 12), aneurysmal disease (n = 9), and renal or visceral artery disease (n = 11). Conventional arteriography enabled visualization of 64 renal arteries and 15 accessory renal arteries. Lateral aortograms obtained in 15 patients enabled visualization of 14 superior mesenteric (SMA) and 14 celiac arteries. Spiral CT enabled visualization of 60 renal arteries, 12 accessory renal arteries, 27 SMAs, and 22 celiac arteries. Calcification or a disparity in timing of contrast material injection and scanning prevented visualization of the celiac artery in 10 patients and the SMA in four patients. With conventional arteriography as the standard for comparison, spiral CT had a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 95% for depiction of at least 75% stenosis in the main renal artery. By means of the Pearson correlation coefficient, significant correlation (p < 0.001) was confirmed between spiral CT and arteriography for evaluation of stenosis of the main renal artery, SMA, and celiac artery. This early experience suggests that spiral CT may be useful in evaluation of renal and visceral arteries and their relationship to aortic disease.

Iliac artery evaluation with two-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography: update.

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of two-dimensional (2D) time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance (MR) angiography, performed with state-of-the-art equipment, in the evaluation of the iliac arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The iliac arteries of 50 patients undergoing conventional arteriography for evaluation of lower-extremity ischemia or abdominal aortic aneurysm were also imaged with axial 2D TOF MR angiography. Blinded interpretations of conventional arteriograms and MR angiograms were compared. MR angiography was performed with a 1.5-T system with 2-mm contiguous axial sections, 60 degrees flip angle, 28-msec repetition time, and 7.4-msec echo time. RESULTS: Blinded interpretations of 2D TOF MR angiograms matched those of conventional arteriograms in 26 of 50 patients (52%). For the diagnosis of obstructive iliac artery lesions, sensitivity and specificity with MR angiography were 85% and 59%, respectively. Two of three saccular iliac artery aneurysms escaped detection with MR angiography. CONCLUSION: Iliac artery evaluation with axial 2D TOF MR angiography is not sufficiently accurate to warrant its use as a replacement for conventional arteriography in patients who lack contraindications to the latter.

Three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography for aortoiliac inflow assessment plus renal artery screening in a single breath hold.

PURPOSE: To develop a magnetic resonance (MR) angiography protocol, with use of breath-hold techniques, for simultaneous aortoiliac inflow assessment and renal artery screening in patients with lower extremity ischemia or aortic aneurysm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Breath-hold three dimensional gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography was performed in 50 patients (conventional arteriography in 47 was the standard of reference). After multiple strategies were tested in the first 18 patients, a final protocol was formulated and tested in the subsequent 32 patients. RESULTS: The final protocol comprised a single-slab (28 3-mm-thick partitions) coronal acquisition (repetition time, 7 msec; echo time, 2.8 msec; flip angle, 60 degrees) during a single breath hold, enhanced with 30 mL gadoteridol. In the final 32 patients, sensitivity and specificity, respectively, for obstructive lesions were 100% and 100% for the aorta, 100% and 98% for common iliac arteries, 100% and 89% for external iliac arteries, 100% and 89% for main renal arteries, and 100% and 62% for accessory renal arteries. CONCLUSION: This breath-hold protocol improves the accuracy of aortoiliac inflow assessment, but low resolution limits evaluation of small renal arteries.