Digital Arteriography in Occlusive Arterial Disease and Clubbing of the Fingers

A study of transbrachial digital arteriography led to the development of a technique that includes the use of an intra-arterial vasodilator (tolazoline) measurement of circulation time, direct roentgenographic magnification and serial exposures of long (14 by 35-inch) films in cassettes. This technique permitted study of the fine details of digital arteriograms of 34 patients with clubbing of the fingers or peripheral occlusive arterial disease. The ulnar artery was nonopacified in 13 cases and segmental areas of nonopacification of digital arteries were seen in 17 of the entire group, in many instances in the absence of symptoms of occlusive arterial disease. The technique is recommended for more adequate study of the peripheral microangiopathies.