Injection rates for neuroangiography: results of a survey.
OBJECTIVE
Injection rates have attracted scrutiny because of an incident of an aneurysm rupturing during arteriography. We sought to determine the current injection rates for neuroangiography in the setting of aneurysm evaluation.


METHODS
An e-mail survey was distributed to 90 neuroradiology program directors within the United States and Canada. The injection rates and total volumes of contrast material injected for the common carotid, internal carotid, and vertebral arteries were provided for an "average" adult individual evaluated for intracranial aneurysms.


RESULTS
Sixty-three (70.0%) program directors replied to the survey. Of these, five perform hand injections only and provided approximate values. The mean injection rates (SD) and total volumes (SD) for common carotid arteries were 7.2 cm(3)/s (1.8) and 9.9 cm(3) (2.0), respectively; for internal carotid arteries, 5.8 cm(3)/s (1.4) and 7.9 cm(3) (1.5); and for vertebral arteries, 5.4 cm(3)/s (1.2) and 7.8 cm(3) (1.7). The modes (rate/total) for the common carotid, internal carotid, and vertebral arteries were 7/12, 6/8, and 5/8, respectively. Forty-eight (81.4%) of 59 respondents did not believe a reduction in current injection rates would lead to a diminution in complications of arteriography.


CONCLUSIONS
The rates of injection of contrast material in the United States for neuroradiologic studies show great variability. It does not seem that reducing arteriographic complications is an impetus to reduce injection rates. The values in this survey can provide "industry norms" for injections in the common carotid, internal carotid, and vertebral arteries if these rates are challenged.
Yousem
D M
DM
Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Houck B-112, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Trinh
B C
BC
D002170:Canada; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014481:United States; D014711:Vertebral Artery
D003287:Contrast Media