[Cardiovascular involvement in the aortitis syndrome: a study using digital subtraction angiography].

Cardiovascular involvement in 22 cases with clinically confirmed aortitis syndrome was assessed using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) with an ADAC DPS-4100 system added to Siemens Angioskop A. The aorta and its branches, and the pulmonary vessels were examined for the extent, severity, and type of involvement. Left ventriculography was also performed for all patients. Digital subtraction angiograms of diagnostic quality were obtained in all the patients. Significant arterial narrowing was demonstrated by DSA in at least one vascular segment of each patient. DSA showed 32 total and 43 subtotal occlusions in 484 segments. DSA also imaged aneurysmal dilatation of the aortic root in one patient; an aneurysm of the innominate artery in two; a large anastomotic vessel connecting the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries in three; diffuse hypokinesis of the left ventricular wall in one; and stenosis of the pulmonary arterial branches in four patients. Clinical symptoms and signs did not correlate closely with the findings of DSA. It is concluded that the radiographic imaging of DSA is adequate and can be used to replace that of conventional angiography in evaluating the aortitis syndrome.