An improved pulmonary angiographic technique using a balloon-tipped catheter.

Selective pulmonary angiography, using injection of contrast material distal to occlusion of a lobar or segmental vessel with a balloon-tipped catheter, was performed in 33 patients suspected of having pulmonary embolism. Excellent film quality was possible with this method using specialized radiographic techniques allowing exposure of rapid-sequence spot films. Balloon-occlusion angiography contributed to, or improved on, findings on standard angiograms in 28 of 33 patients; the procedures were inconclusive or incomplete in 5 cases owing to unavoidable technical factors. In general, image quality, definition of both large and small vessels, and visualization of emboli were often superior to results obtained by routine angiography. This technique is safe, relatively easy to perform, and capable of serving as a valuable adjunct to established diagnostic procedures for pulmonary embolism.