Intraarterial Injection of Indocyanine Green for Evaluation of Peripheral Blood Circulation in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Background: To assess the peripheral blood flow of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) by indocyanine green (ICG) arteriography (ICGA) with intraarterial injection of ICG and evaluate the efficacy of the ICGA tests. Methods: This study was undertaken from a retrospective review of patients with PAD who underwent ICGA tests during digital subtraction angiography (DSA) between November 2012 and June 2013. We defined some ICGA parameters as the magnitude of intensity of ICG, the time, to maximum intensity, and the time from fluorescence onset to half the maximum intensity (T-1/2). The ICGA parameters were evaluated in 2 regions, named regions of interest (ROIs). ROI 1 was part of the dorsum of the foot from the Chopart joint to the Lisfranc joint. ROI 2 was in the distal region of the first metatarsal bone and compared with the ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI), ankle pressure, toe-brachial pressure index, and toe pressure. Results: A total of 22 limbs in 16 patients with PAD underwent ICGA tests during DSA. The T-1/2 on ROI 2 was the most correlated with the ABI (p = -0.622, P = 0.003). A value of T-1/2 for ROI 2>10 sec was significantly correlated with an ABI value of <0.7 (sensitivity: 0.85, specificity: 1.0). Conclusions: By measuring the value of T-1/2 in ROI 2, ICGA tests can be performed to assess the peripheral blood circulation during DSA. ICGA tests might help to promptly assess the peripheral blood flow during endovascular treatment procedures.