Abstract
The delineation of the vascular system of the cerebrum and of the extremities has been accomplished with the use of thorium solution. This substance has the disadvantages of non-excretion and subsequent storage in the reticulo-endothelial system with dangerous sequelae of radio-activity. Sodium iodide in solutions of high concentration has likewise been used for these purposes, but has the disadvantage of the reaction of iodism.
Several authors 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 have outlined the vascular system of the lungs using the technique of intra-auricular catheterization and the subsequent injection of radiopaque solutions of concentrated sodium iodide and uroselectan directly into the interior of the right auricle. This procedure is formidable and hazardous, but necessary to these investigators because of the extremely rapid dispersal and dilution of their radiopaque solutions when injected into the peripheral venous circulation.
It occurred to the author that a high increase in viscosity of a radiopaque solution would enable one to avoid the necessity of intra-auricular catheterization because the rate and degree of dispersion and dilution of a viscous solution injected into an arm vein would be appreciably lessened and angiography could thus be made practicable.
Accordingly the innocuous, commonly used, 50% glucose solution was chosen as the viscous base and hippuran as the radiopaque substance. It was found that a 100% solution of the hippuran in 50% glucose solution could be effected. Injections of this viscous mixture were made into the arm vein of 4 rabbits and 2 dogs.
By fluoroscopy in 4 rabbits and 2 dogs the viscous radiopaque column of fluid could be visualized entering the heart, pulmonary arteries, outlining the thoracic aorta, and, in the rabbits, yielding excellently depicted angiographs (arterial) of the liver, spleen and kidneys.
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