ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Catheter-based angiography allows direct visualization of blood vessels by the injection of iodinated contrast agents directly into an artery or a vein. Although noninvasive imaging techniques, including CT and MR angiograms, have made significant strides in recent years, catheter-based angiography has similarly undergone a new level of complexity and sophistication and to date, remains the “gold standard” for definitive evaluation of peripheral vascular beds and is a necessary initial step prior to percutaneous revascularization. The selective intubation and cannulation of lower extremity arteries has been facilitated by the development of multiple catheter shapes now available in catheterization laboratories.
