Radiology, Vol 142, 637-641, Copyright © 1982 by Radiological Society of North America
The importance of angled right anterior oblique views in improving visualization of the coronary arteries. Part II: Craniocaudal view
CE Green, LP Elliott, WJ Rogers, JA Mantle, S Papapietro and WP Hood Jr
The craniocaudal right anterior oblique view (RAO) of the left coronary
artery was employed for 100 angiograms. Visualization of the proximal and
left distal circumflex, first and second marginal, and proximal left
anterior descending artery (LAD) and its branches was compared with that on
the non-angled RAO projection. Diagnostic accuracy was increased with the
caudal RAO view in 88% of proximal circumflex segments, 69% of distal
circumflex segments, 52% of first marginal segments, 33% of second marginal
segments, and 33% of proximal LAD systems. Of 68 lesions identified, 15
(22%) were seen only on the caudal RAO view. The authors feel that this
projection is a valuable and necessary addition to routine views of the
left coronary artery, and that optimum evaluation is achieved by routine
use of a combination of caudal, non-angled, and cranial RAO views.
