Vascular: Peripheral runoff

Abstract

As the population of the Western world continues to age, there is an increasing prevalence of peripheral arterial disease. At a current rate of approximately 12% in an adult population, the associated morbidity and burden of cost for society is significant. Several treatment options are available such as transluminal and surgical revascularization techniques as well as pharmacologic treatment options, requiring accurate diagnosis of the location and severity of arterial involvement. Conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is still considered the reference standard for assessing aortoiliac and lower extremity arteries, with the advantage of immediate therapeutic interventions is during the examination. Its main disadvantages, however, include its invasive nature, the considerably high costs, patient discomfort, and a complication rate of approximately 1%.1 © 2008 Springer Medizin Verlag Heidelberg.