Advantages

Disadvantages

Availability

Accuracy

- Able to determine embolic or thrombotic aetiology

Immediate treatment

Carbon dioxide can be used if contrast is contraindicated.

Invasive

Radiation exposure:

- Repeated catheter angiography

- Post-procedure recovery

Needs Interventional radiologist present on site

Prolongation of hospital stay:

- Increase hospital costs

- Increase morbidity and mortality

Complications:

- Rare fatal reaction to iodinated contrast material

- Contrast-induced nephropathy

- Bleeding from puncture site/pseudoaneurysm

Contraindicated in patients with eGFR less than 45 mL/min

Imaging limitations:

- Poor evaluation of outflow vessels

- Limited visualisation of pedal vessels and vessels beyond significant obstructive lesions