Cardiac applications of digital subtraction angiography.

Recent developments in digital computer technology have enabled direct digital acquisition of radiographic images at spatial and temporal resolutions similar to that of cineradiography. Initially intended as a means of performing peripheral angiography, digital subtraction angiography has been increasingly applied to cardiac catheterization procedures. Advantages of cardiac digital subtraction angiography include the capabilities to: immediately replay, magnify and enhance angiographic studies during coronary artery interventions, perform left ventriculography with peripheral contrast injections and direct left ventriculography with substantially reduced contrast doses, perform bypass graft visualization using aortic root contrast injection, assess relative regional coronary blood flow and facilitate the quantification of ventriculographic and coronary stenosis parameters. Clinical comparisons of standard cineradiographic and digital angiographic studies have demonstrated very similar results.