The glove rattling induction maneuver (GRIM): a valuable angiographic technique.

A technique in which the attending radiologist can facilitate various angiographic maneuvers by the learning radiology resident is described. It is simple, quick, and inexpensive; its usefulness was demonstrated in a prospective study.

Radiation dose implications of digital angiographic systems.

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has been widely accepted and applied. The concentration of iodine in the vessels of interest is low in intravenous DSA. The resultant images can be improved to some extent by increasing the radiation dose. Therefore DSA could become, and possibly could remain, a relatively high-dose procedure. The contributions to dose from the various components of the examination such as fluoroscopy, positioning, test exposures, and final acquisition runs are considered separately. Individual segments of a DSA examination are discussed to show how and where opportunities arise to reduce doses to the lowest levels consistent with satisfactory images.

Three-dimensional teaching model for coronary angiography.

In order to improve the understanding and interpretation of cine coronary arteriograms obtained in various angled projections, a three-dimensional wire model was constructed. The main coronary arteries and most important muscular branches are simulated by a wire skeleton. The model can be rotated to simulate the standard right and left anterior oblique and left lateral projections. The degree of rotation is indicated on the base of the model. By tilting the model, cephalad and caudad tube angulation can be simulated. By placing the model in front of the cine projector, the shadows of the wires can be superimposed upon the projected cine coronary arteriogram. This simple, inexpensive model has greatly improved the three-dimensional understanding of the coronary arterial tree in various angled and nonangled views and in our practice had led to the development of additional useful projections.