The Importance of Angiocardiography for Visualizing the Thoracic Aorta

Abstract

Angiocardiography, the intravenous method of visualizing the cardiovascular system, has been available since 1938.^1,2 Strict adherence to the details of the method regularly results in opacification of the thoracic aorta.³ Aortography by left auricular,⁴ left ventricular,^5-8 and aortic puncture and catheterization^9,10 are technically more difficult and carry a greater risk and should not be used routinely. The purpose of this paper is to reiterate the practicality of angiocardiography for aortic visualization, to demonstrate how simply mediastinal tumors may be differentiated from aortic aneurysms, and to illustrate the importance of visualizing the aorta. Discovery of aortic disease is no longer of academic interest, the latest surgical triumph being resection of aortic aneurysms and replacement by grafts. Technique of Angiocardiography Angiocardiography is a roentgen method of visualizing the cardiovascular structures. It is accomplished by making a rapid injection (one and one-half seconds) of a concentrated organic iodide