title: Gadodiamide as an alternative contrast agent in intravenous digital subtraction angiography and interventional procedures of the upper extremity veins.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with renal insufficiency or other contraindications to iodine-based contrast agents present a significant management dilemma when angiography or interventional procedures are required. We describe the use of gadolinium as an alternative contrast agent for intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV-DSA) and interventional procedures of the upper extremity veins.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen patients with symptoms of with moderate renal insufficiency underwent digital subtraction angiography for upper extremity and subclavian venography. Angiographic studies were obtained using gadolinium as a contrast agent. In six patients we used stents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diagnostic images were obtained in all cases. No patient suffered a complication related to the use of gadolinium, and no patient demonstrated worsened renal function after the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the setting of a contraindication to iodine-based contrast agents, gadolinium represents an important alternative contrast material that allows for the visualization of and interventional procedures in the upper extremity veins.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Section of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Ankara University Medical Faculty, Ibn-l Sina Hospital, Hasrclar Street, Shhye, 06100 Ankara, Turkey. sancaki@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Tanzer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sancak
authors.forename: Sadk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bilgic
authors.forename: Umman
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sanldilek
mesh_terms: D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015642:Radiology, Interventional; D051437:Renal Insufficiency; D014680:Veins
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; C064925:gadodiamide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA