[Nonselective angiography of the internal mammary artery--improved imaging by simultaneous compression of the ipsilateral brachial artery].

Because of the increasing use of the internal mammaria artery (IMA) in bypass grafting pre- and postoperative angiography of the artery is more often necessary. Selective IMA angiography is frequently difficult and time- and fluoroscopy-consuming. Therefore, different procedures of nonselective angiography have been developed. We report on the improved nonselective visualization of the IMA by manual injection in the subclavian artery and simultaneous ipsilateral compression of the brachial artery by inflating a blood pressure cuff above systolic blood pressure. Thereby a reduction of fluoroscopy time is possible without significant loss of diagnostic information.