Carbon dioxide angiography for endovascular grafting in high-risk patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Allergic reactions to contrast media, preexisting renal dysfunction, and hyperthyroidism are relative contraindications for angiography with conventional contrast medium. Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) angiography is an alternative method in high-risk patients because CO(2) is nontoxic, without allergic potential, and not iodic. CO(2)-related complications are extremely rare. Because renal insufficiency often occurs in vascular patients, this method will become increasingly important for endovascular surgery. We report on three consecutive patients with asymptomatic infrarenal aortic aneurysm and concomitant renal dysfunction or allergic reactions to standard contrast media. Aortic stent grafts were deployed under CO(2) angiographic control without complications or worsening of renal function.