Carbon dioxide angioscopy.
Endovascular intervention has become an increasingly more popular method of diagnosing and treating vascular disease. Its expanding scope includes applications ranging from visualization of the peripheral vascular system to coronary artery interventions. This trend is primarily a result of the limitations of angiography, the current imaging standard, when compared to angioscopy. Multiple disease entities, including atherosclerotic plaque, embolic debris, and thrombus, can not be differentiated between based on angiographic appearance. Angioscopy is a more sensitive method of distinguishing between the above disease states by allowing direct visualization of the luminal surface. The significance of this distinction lies in the fact that the treatment options are notably different based upon the diagnosis. Yet another advantage of angioscopy is its therapeutic value in addition to its diagnostic abilities. Directed embolectomy, guide-wire or catheter placement, or pseudointimal resection are all possible through the angioscope at the time of diagnosis.