PURPOSE: To present an angiographic method, to visualize the cava and iliac veins in rats, emphasizing the colateral circulation, developed after interrupting the venous flow. METHODS: Twenty four male Wistar rats were studied, weighting 300 to 350g. the access used to injection of the iodined contrast, necessary to the radiologic study, was the dorsal vein of the penis. The method of cavography was tested at the 15th postoperative day, in three groups of six animals. RESULTS: The group I is control. In groups II and III the animals were submitted respectively of ligature of the caudal vena cava above and below of the iliolumbar veins. In group IV they were submitted to the ligature of the right iliac vein, besides of control group that was not operated. CONCLUSION: The cavography with the injection in the penile vein, is capable of viewing the iliac vein and caudal vena cava, as well as the colateral circulation developed in cases the blood flow was interrupted in these vessels.
Cavography; Angiography; Rats
