Comparison of intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography using carbon dioxide by 'home made' delivery system and conventional iodinated contrast media in the evaluation of peripheral arterial occlusive disease of the lower limbs

Comparing the accuracy and safety of automated CO2 angiography to iodine angiography in peripheral arterial disease with chronic limb ischemia: a prospective cohort study

Introduction

Diagnostic angiography of peripheral arteries using carbon dioxide (CO2) is feasible in nearly all areas below the diaphragm. Using carbon dioxide as a contrast material in angiography provides the highest quality diagnostic results in the vascular segments above the knee. However, its diagnostic reliability decreases as it moves toward the distal side of the vessels below the knee. This study investigated the diagnostic accuracy and consistency between CO2 and iodine contrast angiography in patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) with chronic limb ischemia (CLI).

Methods

The study prospectively enrolled 35 patients with PVD and CLI and performed both CO2 and iodine contrast angiography, comparing the results for each patient. Image quality, stenosis severity, and anatomical location were analyzed.

Results

In this study, a total of 35 patients (19 male) with an average age of 56.91 ± 10.73 were examined. Among them, 13 patients (37.1%) had involvement in the femoral region, 8 patients (22.9%) in the popliteal region, 8 patients (22.9%) in the tibial region, and 6 patients (17.1%) in the foot region. CO2 angiography produced excellent image quality in 40% of cases, with good quality in another 25.7%. The quality decreased in the popliteal and foot regions. While stenosis assessment was comparable between the two methods in the femoral, popliteal, and tibial regions, there was a significant difference in the foot region. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of CO2 angiography were all 100% in the femoral and popliteal areas. However, these values were lower in the tibial and foot areas.

Discussion

The study concluded that the use of CO2 angiography, particularly for vascular lesions above the popliteal cavity, is a valuable and safe method for peripheral vascular examination of the lower limbs. It can serve as an alternative to iodine contrast angiography, especially in patients with kidney failure.

Safety and Effectiveness of Carbon Dioxide Contrast Medium in Infra-Inguinal Endovascular Interventions for Patients With Chronic Threatening Lower Limb Ischemia and Renal Impairment: A Multicentric Trial

PURPOSE

To assess the safety and effectiveness of using carbon dioxide (CO2) contrast in both supra- and infra-genicular endovascular interventions in patients with renal impairment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a multicentric prospective observational study conducted over a period of 3 years from 2017 to 2020; the study included 114 patients presented with chronic threatening limb ischemia (CTLI) and renal impairment (lowest serum creatinine levels ≥1.3 mg/dL) for whom endovascular procedures were done using CO2 as a contrast medium. Endovascular angiography was guided by CO2 either exclusively (zero contrast) or with the aid of small amount of supplementary iodinated contrast media (ICM) injections. The qualitative assessment of the angiographic images in both supra- and infra-genicular fields were reported and scaled.

RESULTS

The qualitative diagnostic images were excellent in 86.5% in the supra-genicular and 66.5% in infra-genicular images. There were no significant changes in mean serum creatinine levels from baseline to first and fifth days post procedural (mean 1.8 mg/dL vs mean 1.9 mg/dL and mean 1.7 mg/dL).

CONCLUSION

CO2 is a non-nephrotoxic alternative to traditional ICM that could be safely used and well tolerated during endovascular interventions for peripheral arterial disease in patients with renal impairment. Primary safety and efficacy endpoints were achieved in 100% of cases. The use of automated injector system provides adequate delivery, optimizes the dose, and avoids air contamination. For infra-genicular segment opacification, we recommend super-selective injections and some changes in angiographic techniques from contrast preparation to image post-processing.

CLINICAL IMPACT

Co2 is a non-nephrotoxic alternative to traditional ICM that could be safely used and well tolerated during peripheral endovascular interventions in patients with renal impairment. The use of automated injector system would provide adequate delivery, optimizes the dose and avoids air contamination. For infra-genicular segment opacification, its recommended to use selective injection as close to the target artery as possible and some changes in angiographic techniques from contrast preparation to image post-processing.

Safety and Efficacy of Hybrid Angiography in Chronic Lower Extremity Ischemia Patients at Risk of Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

AIM

The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility and safety of hybrid angiography consisting of carbon dioxide (CO₂) angiography supplemented by small doses of iodinated contrast medium (ICM) in the endovascular treatment of chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) patients with pre-existing chronic kidney disease (CKD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective study comprised all non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients presenting for endovascular management of CLTI. All endovascular interventions were done using CO₂ as a contrast medium whether alone or supplemented by ICM (hybrid angiography) to treat unilateral arterial steno-occlusive lesions of iliac, femoropopliteal, or BTK arteries. Study outcomes included feasibility of the device, technical success, and freedom from contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI), renal replacement therapy, and CO₂ angiography-related complications.

RESULTS

A total of 206 CKD patients underwent endovascular intervention using CO₂ only as a contrast medium (159 patients, 77.2%), or hybrid CO₂-ICM angiography (47 patients, 22.8%). The overall technical success was 95.6%. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 17.9 ± 4.6 months. The mean volumes of CO₂, and ICM consumption were 200.7 ± 95.1 mL, and 11.8 ± 4.4 mL, respectively. The mean procedural, and fluoroscopy times were 95.6 ± 12.5 and 49.5 ± 10.8 minutes, respectively. BTK lesions were significantly associated with the need for hybrid angiography (P = <.0001). The mean pre- and postoperative serum creatinine levels were comparable (P = .08). Two patients (4.3%) showed transient manifestations of CI-AKI, but neither required renal replacement therapy. No statistically significant differences were encountered between the two study groups regarding procedure outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Hybrid CO₂-ICM angiography is safe, feasible, effective, and a fairly simple alternative during endovascular interventions to treat chronic lower extremity ischemia. Using supplemental small volumes of ICM to overcome the suboptimal images generated by CO₂ alone does not jeopardize the renal functions in CKD patients.

Image quality and safety of automated carbon dioxide digital subtraction angiography in femoropopliteal lesions: Results from a randomized single-center study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the image quality and the safety of automated carbon dioxide (CO₂) digital subtraction angiography (DSA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty patients receiving DSA for femoropopliteal peripheral arterial disease (PAD) were enrolled in this single-center prospective study. All patients received iodinated contrast media (ICM) and CO₂ as a contrast agent in the same target lesion. As a primary endpoint, four raters independently evaluated the angiography images based on overall image quality, visibility of collaterals, and assessment of stenoses/occlusions. Inter-rater agreement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and differences between the raters were evaluated using Friedmann's test. Secondary endpoints were procedure safety and patient pain assessment.

RESULTS

Inter-rater agreement between CO₂-DSA and ICM-DSA images was fair to excellent for overall image quality (ICC: 0.399-0.748), fair to excellent for the visibility of collaterals (ICC: 0.513-0.691), and poor to excellent for the assessment of stenoses/occlusions (ICC: -0.065-0.762). There were no significant differences between the raters. Two patients had a hematoma, one reported pain related to puncture, one became nauseous, and one vomited. No other adverse events were observed. Reported pain scores were significantly higher for CO₂-DSA vs. ICM-DSA (1.25 vs. 0625; p < 0.028).

CONCLUSION

CO2-DSA using automated injection system in combination with proprietary post-processing software is safe and comparable diagnostic test compared to ICM-DSA.

Carbon dioxide-angiography for patients with peripheral arterial disease at risk of contrast-induced nephropathy

Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and critical limb ischemia are at risk for limb amputation and require urgent management to restore blood flow. Patients with PAD often have several comorbidities, including chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Diagnostic and interventional angiography using iodinated contrast agents provides excellent image resolution but can be associated with contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The use of carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a contrast agent reduces the volume of iodine contrast required for angiography and reduces the incidence of CIN. However, CO₂ angiography has been underutilized due to concerns regarding safety and image quality. Modern CO₂ delivery systems with advanced digital subtraction angiography techniques and hybrid angiography have improved imaging accuracy and reduced the incidence of CIN. Awareness of the need for optimal imaging conditions, contraindications, and potential complications have improved the safety of CO₂ angiography. This review aims to highlight current technological advances in the delivery of CO₂ in vascular angiography for patients with PAD and critical limb ischemia, which result in limb preservation while preventing kidney damage.

Carbon Dioxide Angiography in the Treatment of Transplant Renal Artery Stenosis

BACKGROUND

Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is a serious complication associated with graft loss. Selective carbon dioxide angiography allows for effective diagnosis and therapy with the use of minimal to no contrast agent. This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of the adjunctive use of carbon dioxide angiography in the treatment of TRAS.

METHODS

Patients undergoing endovascular therapy (percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with or without stent) for TRAS between the years 2012 and 2017 at a single tertiary care academic medical center were studied. Outcomes of interest included technical success, postoperative glomerular filtration rate, and renal ultrasound hemodynamic parameters.

RESULTS

Of the 37 patients who underwent angiography for TRAS during the study period, 34 underwent a therapeutic intervention. Of those, 24 patients (70.6%) underwent adjunctive carbon dioxide angiography versus 10 patients (29.4%) who underwent standard contrast angiography. Baseline characteristics between the carbon dioxide angiography and traditional angiography groups were similar. Patients undergoing carbon dioxide angiography received significantly less contrast agent than patients undergoing traditional angiography [9.5 mL (IQR 2-19.5) versus 19.5 mL (IQR 15-30), P = 0.03)] and maintained equivalent technical success rates (92.2% vs. 91.7%, P = 0.9).

CONCLUSIONS

The adjunctive use of carbon dioxide angiography allows for significantly less contrast administration compared with standard angiography while achieving an equivalent rate of technical success. Selective carbon dioxide angiography should be considered a first-line modality for patients with TRAS in need of endovascular therapy.

Contrast induced-acute kidney injury following peripheral angiography with carbon dioxide versus iodinated contrast media: A meta-analysis and systematic review of current literature

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a meta-analysis to compare the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) with carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) versus iodinated contrast media (ICM).

BACKGROUND

Contrast induced-acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a known complication following endovascular procedures with ICM. CO₂ has been employed as an alternative imaging medium as it is nontoxic to the kidneys.

METHODS

Search of indexed databases was performed and 1,732 references were retrieved. Eight studies (7 observational, 1 Randomized Controlled Trial) formed the meta-analysis. Primary outcome was AKI. Fixed effect model was used when possible in addition to analysis of publication bias.

RESULTS

In this meta-analysis, 677 patients underwent 754 peripheral angiographic procedures. Compared with ICM, CO₂ was associated with a decreased incidence of AKI (4.3% vs. 11.1%; OR 0.465, 95% CI: 0.218-0.992; P = 0.048). Subgroup analysis of four studies that included granular data for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) did not demonstrate a decreased incidence of AKI with CO₂ (4.1% vs. 10.0%; OR 0.449, 95% CI: 0.165-1.221, P = 0.117). Patients undergoing CO₂ angiography experienced a higher number of nonrenal events including limb/abdominal pain (11 vs. 0; P = 0.001) and nausea/vomiting (9 vs. 1; P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison to ICM, CO₂ use is associated with a modestly reduced rate of AKI with more frequent adverse nonrenal events. In studies that use CO₂ as the primary imaging agent, the average incidence of AKI remained high at 6.2%-supporting the concept that factors other than renal toxicity from ICM may contribute to renal impairment following peripheral angiography. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lowering iodinated contrast concentration in infrainguinal endovascular interventions: a three-armed randomized controlled non-inferiority trial

Objectives

To determine the influence of lowering iodinated contrast concentration on confidence of interventional radiologists in diagnosing and treating lesions during endovascular interventions in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Methods

A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial was performed in 60 patients. Intervention was performed with contrast concentrations (in mg of iodine per mL, mgI/mL) of 300 (standard), 240, or 140 mgI/mL. Primary outcome was confidence (score 0-100 %) of radiologists in diagnosing and treating arterial lesions. Secondary outcomes were procedural iodine load and image quality (i.e. non-diagnostic, limited, diagnostic, exemplary).

Results

Median confidence scores in diagnosing lesions were 100 % (range 81-100 %) for the 300 group (n = 21), 100 % (range 82-100 %) for the 240 group (n = 19), and 100 % (range 91-100 %) for the 140 group (n = 20) (both p = 1.00 compared to the 300 group). Median scores for treating lesions in the 240 and 140 groups, 100 % (range 79-100 %, p = 0.40), and 100 % (range 63-100 %, p = 0.25), respectively, were not lower compared to the 300 group (median 100 %, range 78-100 %). Procedural iodine load was lower in the 240 (24.3 ± 7.6 g, p = 0.022) and 140 groups (17.8 ± 5.6 g, p < 0.001) compared to the 300 group (29.7 ± 6.3 g). Image quality was diagnostic for all groups.

Conclusion

Using iodine contrast of 140 mgI/mL for diagnosis and interventions in PAD patients significantly reduces administered iodine load without compromising image quality. Future use of lower iodine dose is recommended.

Key Points

• Lower iodinated contrast concentration during endovascular intervention does not decrease radiologist’s confidence.

• Image quality of standardized angiographies remains diagnostic using 140 mgI/mL iodinated contrast concentration.

• Iodine load during intervention can be decreased by >40 % when using 140 mgI/mL.

• Implementing the use of a lower iodinated contrast concentration will reduce the costs of the procedure.

Automated Carbon Dioxide Angiography for the Evaluation and Endovascular Treatment of Diabetic Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia

PURPOSE

To test the safety, efficacy, and diagnostic accuracy of automated carbon dioxide (CO2) angiography (ACDA) for the evaluation of diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) and baseline renal insufficiency and compare ACDA with iodinated contrast medium (ICM) during endovascular treatment.

METHODS

From November 2014 to January 2015, 36 consecutive diabetic patients (mean age 74.8±5.8 years; 27 men) with stage ≥3 chronic kidney disease (CKD ≥3) and CLI underwent lower limb angiography with both CO2 and ICM followed by balloon angioplasty in a prospective single-center study. The primary outcome measure was the safety and efficacy of ACDA as the exclusive agent to guide angioplasty in this cohort. The secondary outcomes were the safety and diagnostic accuracy of ACDA injection as compared with ICM digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for invasive evaluation of these patients.

RESULTS

ACDA safely and effectively guided angioplasty in all patients without complications. Transcutaneous oxygen pressure improved from 11.8±6.3 to 58.4±7.6 mm Hg (p<0.001). There were no complications related to ACDA during diagnostic imaging and no significant changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline to 24 hours (44.7±13.3 vs 47.0±0.8 mL/min/1.73 m(2); nonsignificant). The diagnostic accuracy of CO2 was 89.8% (sensitivity 92.3%; specificity 75%; positive predictive value 95.5%; negative predictive value 63.1%). There was no statistically significant difference in the qualitative diagnostic accuracy between the media (p=0.197).

CONCLUSION

ACDA is an accurate, safe, and effective technique that can be utilized to guide endovascular interventions in diabetics with CLI and baseline CKD ≥3. Larger multicenter randomized studies are needed to validate these results.

Carbon dioxide as a substitute for iodine contrast in arteriography during embolectomy

Acute limb ischemia can be potentially harmful to the limb and life threatening. Renal failure is a possible outcome associated with release of products of ischemic limb reperfusion. Some authors reported the benefit of performing angiography after embolectomy, even though iodine contrast is also nephrotoxic. We report a case of embolectomy on a patient with renal insufficiency in whom carbon dioxide was used as a substitute for iodine contrast.

A Novel Bubble-Mixture Method to Improve Dynamic Images in Carbon Dioxide Angiography

Purpose: To present a novel method of preparing carbon dioxide (CO2) for contrast enhancement.Technique: CO2 angiography can often produce poor image enhancement, especially in dependent vessels due to buoyancy of the gas. A new technique for premixing the CO2 gas with the patient’s blood and dispersing it into the bubble mixture before injection was developed. Comparative dynamic images showed bubble-mixed CO2 angiography had less fragmentation, more even distribution, and more sustainability than the same volume of pure CO2. Conclusion: The alteration of CO2 gas toward a semiliquid form demonstrates an easy and reproducible concept to improve the dynamic image quality of traditional CO2 angiography.

Endovascular therapy by CO2 angiography to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with chronic kidney disease: a prospective multicenter trial of CO2 angiography registry

OBJECTIVES

To assess the safety and efficacy of carbon dioxide (CO2) angiography-guided endovascular therapy (EVT) for renal, iliofemoral artery disease.

BACKGROUND

Patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) often have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the use of iodinated contrast media may enhance the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). Contrast volume reduction is an effective CIN preventive strategy.

METHODS

A prospective multicenter registry was developed and six clinical centers participated in the study. Patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and stage-3 CKD were recruited between February 2012 and March 2013. CO2 angiography-guided EVT was performed; incomplete CO2 angiograms were supplemented by intravascular ultrasound, pressure wire, and/or minimal iodinated contrast media. The primary endpoint was a composite of freedom from renal events and freedom from major CO2 angiography related complications.

RESULTS

This study included 98 patients with 109 lesions. The mean eGFR baseline was 35.2±12.7 ml min(-1). CO2 angiography-guided angioplasty were performed in 16 renal arteries, 31 aortoiliac arteries, and 62 superficial femoral arteries. The technical success rate was 97.9%. Average CO2 consumption was 281.4±155.8 ml, average dose of iodinated contrast media was 15.0±18.1 ml. Primary endpoint was 92.8% (91/98). Incidence of CIN was 5.1% (5/98) and CO2 angiography-related complications occurred in 17.3% (17/98). Two cases (2%) developed severe, fatal, nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI).

CONCLUSIONS

This trial showed that CO2 angiography-guided angioplasty was effective for preventing CIN, however, CO2 angiography related complication was somewhat high.

Safety and efficacy of endovascular therapy with a simple homemade carbon dioxide delivery system in patients with ileofemoral artery diseases

BACKGROUND

Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) has been used as an arterial contrast agent for high-risk patients who were allergic to iodinated contrast material and for those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The feasibility, safety, imaging quality and therapeutic role of CO(2) angiography in the endovascular therapy (EVT) for patients with CKD was evaluated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

EVT was performed in 107 consecutive patients with iliofemoral artery disease (148 limbs; mean age, 73±9 years) who were admitted to our hospital from January 2010 to April 2011. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided EVT with CO(2) was applied for the treatment of 50 patients (70 limbs) with CKD (group 1). IVUS-guided EVT with iodinated contrast media was applied for the treatment of 57 patients (78 limbs) without CKD (group 2). CO(2) was injected by hand using a simple homemade delivery system. The overall technical success was 100% in both groups without any major complication. Preprocedure and postprocedure ankle-brachial indices significantly improved in the both groups (0.93±0.11 vs. 0.59±0.19, P<0.01; 0.95±0.13 vs. 0.62±0.22, P<0.01, respectively). All of the CO(2) arteriograms were good or acceptable imaging quality if assessed by 2 independent observers.

CONCLUSIONS

CO(2) arteriograms, using an inexpensive simple homemade delivery system, are feasible and safe in patients with CKD in the evaluation and for EVT of iliofemoral artery disease.

Mechanical aspects of CO₂ angiography

The aim of this paper is to clarify some physical-mechanical aspects involved in the carbon dioxide angiography procedure (CO₂ angiography), with a particular attention to a possible damage of the vascular wall. CO₂ angiography is widely used on patients with iodine intolerance. The injection of a gaseous element, in most cases manually performed, requires a long training period. Automatic systems allow better control of the injection and the study of the mechanical behaviour of the gas. CO₂ injections have been studied by using manual and automatic systems. Pressures, flows and jet shapes have been monitored by using a cardiovascular mock. Photographic images of liquid and gaseous jet have been recorded in different conditions, and the vascular pressure rises during injection have been monitored. The shape of the liquid jet during the catheter washing phase is straight in the catheter direction and there is no jet during gas injection. Gas bubbles are suddenly formed at the catheter's hole and move upwards: buoyancy is the only governing phenomenon and no bubbles fragmentation is detected. The pressure rise in the vessel depends on the injection pressure and volume and in some cases of manual injection it may double the basal vascular pressure values. CO₂ angiography is a powerful and safe procedure which diffusion will certainly increase, although some aspects related to gas injection and chamber filling are not jet well known. The use of an automatic system permits better results, shorter training period and limitation of vascular wall damage risk.