Angioscopy

Normal Values

• Lumen of the artery or bypass graft is free from obstruction, the suture line is intact, and the graft is patent.

Procedure

• Small, flexible angioscope is inserted through small surgical opening and passed into the lumen in antergrade or retrograde direction

Purpose of the Test

• To visualize the lumen and endothelial surfaces of the affected artery or vein directly so that the cause of the obstruction or impaired blood flow can be identified
• Performed as an adjunctive procedure during vascular surgery (thrombectomy, atherectomy, bypass grafting)

Abnormal in

• Severe Peripheral Vascular Disease
• Residual valve leaflets in the venous bypass graft
• Bypass graft torsion or stenosis
• Arterial thrombus or embolus
• Platelet thrombus
• Incompetent venous valve leaflets