Angiodroid is the innovative and exclusive carbon dioxide injector for pheriperal interventional angiography.
The technology has been developed into our laboratories during the last two years in cooperation with Sias Spa, the italian company leader in radiological equipments for cardiology and vascular surgery.
The distribution of Angiodroid injectors and relative consumables is entrusted to The Gadagroup Ltd (http://www.gadagroup.com).
Carbon Dioxide Angiopraphy – the origins
Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas was used as a contrast agent in the venous circulation in the 1950s for the diagnosis of pericardial effusion.
In the 1970s, CO2 was used as an intra-arterial contrast agent. With the advent of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in 1980, CO2 angiography became a useful diagnostic tool, particularly in patients who were hypersensitive to iodinated contrast material or whose renal function was compromised. Currently, CO2 is used for imaging both arterial and venous circulations and to assist in a variety of endovascular interventions, even in patients without renal failure or contrast allergy.
Diffusion of the technique
Because the use of CO2 is not associated with nephrotoxicity or allergic reactions, it is increasingly being used as a contrast agent for aortography, as well as for outflow assessment, renal arteriography, and visceral angiography. The gas is the preferred contrast agent for central venography of the upper extremity; for wedged hepatic venography, in order to visualize the portal venous system before transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS); and for fine-needle TIPS procedures.
CO2 is used to guide various vascular interventions, including angioplasty and stent placement, transcatheter embolization, and endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The gas is also used as a contrast agent for cholangiography, nephrostomy, gastrostomy, and abscess or cyst injections.
CO2 should not be used as an arterial contrast agent in sites above the diaphragm because of the risk of gas embolism of the spinal, coronary, and cerebral arteries. CO2 may be delivered by the hand-held syringe method or by the plastic bag system. Both the delivery systems are safe if used correctly. Because air is poorly soluble, air contamination must be prevented during the delivery of CO2. Thorough understanding of the physical properties of CO2 and facile catheterization technique are essential in obtaining optimal CO2 imaging for both diagnosis and intervention.
Angiodroid: technical features and uniqueness
Defined gas flow made through mantaining pression during injection.
Defined gas quantity; control of the amount of CO2 to be injected into the vessel.
Set injection’s parameters: volume and pressure (safety and repeatibility of the procedure).
No risk of air introducing into the injection circuit: positive internal pressure of the pneumatic circuit.
Constant injection pressure of CO2 during the procedure: no risk of vessel damage.
Pre-injection of a small dose of CO2 to purge the catheter from saline.
Exaples of usage of Angiodroid
1) Aortic dissection – stent placing
2) Aortic stenosis – diagnosis
3) Lower extremity
