Because of its high rate of solubility and rapid diffusion through the lungs, carbon dioxide (CO2) is safe for intravascular use. Due to the absence of allergic reactions and renal toxicity, CO2, as a contrast medium, is an alternative to iodine contrast medium when performing digital subtraction angiography of the lower extremities. The introduction of CO2 into clinical practice made it possible for patients with reduced renal function and a reported allergy to iodine contrast agent to undergo a minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedure.
Through this lecture, I will present the initial experiences of the employees at the Department of Clinical Radiology of the University Hospital of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, and the evaluation of the quality of the images obtained during the procedures and their comparison with the images obtained with iodine contrast medium. In addition to the evaluation of the quality of the obtained image, the paper will pay attention to some other parameters that can affect the performance of the procedure itself. These parameters are the quality of opacification of the blood vessel with the contrast agent, the speed and practicality of the procedure, the biological properties of CO2 and how it affects the patient, compatibility with the device and economic profitability. (