Digital subtraction angiography of the foot in atherosclerotic occlusive disease.

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) provides additional information regarding patency or occlusion of vessels that is not always detected by conventional angiography. Patency of distal vessels is a positive prognostic factor in predicting salvage of the foot in patients having various treatment procedures for occlusive atherosclerotic disease. I evaluated the ability of intra-arterial DSA to add important diagnostic and prognostic information concerning the vascular anatomy of the ankle and foot in 42 patients whose initial conventional diagnostic arteriogram was inadequate. Patency of foot vessels indicates a high likelihood of success in patients having revascularization, and absence of flow to the foot indicates that amputation is likely to be required.