Evaluation of arterial insufficiency of the legs. A comparison of arteriography and the 133Xe walking test.

Muscle blood flow (133Xe clearance technique) measured in the legs during walking was more effective than arteriography in the evaluation of vascular insufficiency in 31 patients with intermittent claudication. Since, moreover, the 133Xe walking test is virtually without risk to the patient, it is recommended that arteriographic studies be reserved as a pre-operative investigation.