Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR
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J Vasc Interv Radiol · Nov 1991
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialProximity injuries: correlation with results of extremity arteriography.
The results of 170 emergency arteriography procedures in 142 patients who had sustained extremity injuries near major arteries were correlated with the findings from a physical examination conducted prior to arteriography. Radiographically demonstrable significant arterial injuries, which usually required surgical repair, were present at 42 of the 170 injury sites (25%). Major physical findings suggestive of arterial injury were noted at 105 of 170 sites (62%). ⋯ At each of these 65 injury sites, the decision to perform emergency arteriography was based solely on the proximity of the wound to a major artery. In spite of this very low yield in the subgroup of 51 patients without major physical findings, emergency arteriography is still routinely requested for extremity injuries at the authors' institutions. The validity of this policy, a possible reason for its development, and its effect on patient disposition are examined.