Catheter Replacement of the Needle in Percutaneous Arteriography

The catheter method of angiography has become more popular in the past few years, as it provides the following advantages over the method of injecting the contrast medium by means of a simple needle: 1. The contrast medium may be injected into a vessel at any level desired. 2. Risk of extravascular injection of the contrast medium is minimised. 3. The patient may be placed in any position required. 4. The catheter may be left in situ without risk while the films are being developed, thus facilitating re-examination if necessary. Until recently, however, the use of the catheter method was restricted because of the lack of a suitable flexible thin-walled catheter which could be