Isotope angiograpy for detection of embolic arterial occlusion.

Radionuclide angiography is a safe, noninvasive, easily performed and rapidly executed technique which will accurately demonstrate the presence of an acute occlusion of the arterial tree of the lower extremities. The diagnosis of embolic or thrombotic occlusion of the arterial circulation of the lower extremity in the critically ill patient often is not clear. Visualization of the arterial tree prior to any operation is advantageous, but these patients are invariably in such poor general physical condition that one wound prefer not to submit them to the invasive and time-consuming procedure of conventional contrast arteriography. Radionuclide angiography was performed in three patients who had an equivocal diagnosis of acute occlusion of the femoral artery. Acute occlusion was correctly diagnosed by this technique in all three patients.