Superior sensitivity of angiographic detection of arteriovenous fistula after biopsy in a renal allograft with CO2 compared with iodinated contrast medium.

Arteriovenous (AV) fistulas are potential complications of renal transplant biopsy procedures. In the setting of renal transplant failure, angiography with CO2 as a contrast agent is a useful adjunct to angiography with conventional contrast medium in the diagnosis and treatment of such fistulas with minimal nephrotoxicity. The present report describes a case of a renal transplant AV fistula seen after biopsy that could be detected angiographically only with CO2 contrast medium.