Pediatric digital subtraction angiography: intraarterial and intracardiac applications

Abstract
Intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (IA-DSA) was performed in 80 pediatric patients. Forty-four underwent arterial injections with digital filming techniques. Of the 130 injections, DSA imaging was good or excellent in 121, often allowing resolution of vessels 1 mm in size. Thirty-six of the 80 patients underwent cardiac evaluation with intra-cardiac injections. Improved contrast resolution with IA-DSA allowed the use of smaller catheters (3–4 F) and smaller amounts of contrast material. Immediate availability of subtracted images (no film processing delay) resulted in shorter total procedure time. Outpatient studies are possible. IA-DSA provides several notable advantages for the pediatric patient.