Objective:To retrospectively evaluate the clinical applications and feasibility of stepping technology in the lower extremity arteriography.Methods:Between 2004 and 2005

thirty patients with arteriopathy of lower extremity in our hospital received arteriography by using the stepping technology with a Shimadzu 1250 mA DSA.First

mask images of all interested parts were acquired after catheterizing to the affected iliac artery via the contralateral femoral ateriopuncture.Then using power injector

we injected diatrizoate meglumine(60% Angiografin)40 ml(rate:3 ml/s)into the illed ilac artery

meanwhile synchronous and real-time images of every interested segment of the artery were filmed at one time.The control group consisted of fifty patients with the arteriopathy of the lower extrmety and underwent DSA segmently and repeatedly.Results:Of 30 patients

26(87%)in the study group had gained images met the diagnostic requirments in one examination.And 4 patients(13%)with unsatisfactory images due to pain caused by the injection.The total constrast medium was between 30 and 50 ml(mean amount 40 ml)

and the exposure time was between 10 s and 20 s(mean time 12.5 s).In order to reach the diagnostic requirments

35 patients in control group were examined 4 times

and other 15 patients underwent the examination 5 times.The total constrast medium was between 100 and 150 ml(mean amount 125.5 ml)

and the exposure time was between 50 and 100 s(mean time 75.5 s).Conclusion:Stepping technology in the lower extremity arteriography is better than segmental angiography in providing ideal images acquired in one examination to meet the diagnostic requirments.It spends lower total constrast medium and has shorter exposure time.It should be the first-line technique in the extremity arteriography.