title: Intra-operative arteriography in arterial embolectomy.
abstract: In a retrospective study, 154 embolectomies in 135 patients with acute arterial occlusion were reviewed and the value of intraoperative arteriography studied. Included in the study were 69 embolectomies of the femoro-popliteal artery in 64 patients, and in 40 (58%) intra-operative arteriography was performed. Of these, 20 were done because of difficulty in passing the Fogarty catheter and/or absent backflow and 20 as a routine procedure where there was easy passage of the catheter and good backflow. In 29 embolectomies (42%) intra-operative arteriography was not performed because some surgeons, doubting the benefit of routine arteriography, did not use it. In 23 cases (58%) intra-operative arteriography led to an extension of the operation. Six out of 20 routine arteriograms (30%) showed incomplete clearance of the arterial tree, resulting in further embolectomy. The amputation rate was 17%, however in the group where routine arteriography was performed it was zero and significantly less than in the non-arteriogram group (23%). The use of intra-operative arteriography in arterial embolectomy surgery is recommended.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Maastricht, Department of Surgery, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Bosma
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Jörning
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D004617:Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged