[Digital angiography. 1st evaluation of 1000 tests].

The authors report their experience of 1 000 examinations using digital subtraction angiography. The technique is particularly well suited to the study of the thoraco-abdominal aorta and its main branches. It is about 80% reliable for the exploration of cervico-encephalic vessels and somewhat less reliable for the vertebro-basilar territory. It is usually convenient for the study of the renal arteries: investigations for reno-vascular hypertension can now be carried out in one session beginning with angiography and ending with urography. Digital subtraction angiography is also very useful in the assessment of vascular surgery, whatever the area involved or the type of operation, and for the study of pulmonary vessels, notably when looking for pulmonary emboli. Digital subtraction arteriography is undoubtedly superior to conventional arteriography. Its impact remains to be determined, but is avoids the drawbacks of the venous route. Its present limitations are of a technical nature: the intensifying screen is too small so that the examination must proceed by segments, hence the need for repeated doses of contrast medium the dangers of which must be borne in mind when digital subtraction angiography is contemplated. On the other hand, this technique has obvious economical advantages: examinations can be performed in out-patients and substantial savings can be made on the number of films.