This study was aimed at establishing the palmar digital angiography as an in vivo qualitative method of evaluation the laminar digital vasculature on horses in standing position. Six gelding and nine mares were used in this study, with age going from 6 to 8 years old. After the perineural anesthesia of lateral or medial palmar digital nerve and the surgical preparation an intravenous catheter was fixed to the palmar digital vein, lateral or medial. After performing a simple radiography an elastic bandage and tourniquet was applied to the area. The animal and the RX equipment were adequately positioned and 20mL of contrast were injected, followed by a first radiological exposition in dorsum palmar incidence. In sequence the tourniquet and the elastic bandage were removed for the dissipation of the contrast, keeping the venous access with infusion of isotonic saline solution. The same procedure was performed with the hoof submitted to the thermal treatment with warmed water and cold water. In four animals a radiopaque image, around each dermic lamina with vasodilatation induced by the heat was obtained, with poorly defined edges and blurred aspect. On the other hand, it was observed reduction of the radiopaque laminar image because of the vasoconstriction caused by the treatment with cold water. This fact can be seen only in four radiographies, but it has not being repeated in all angiographies performed. In seven radiographies incomplete contrast filling was observed. For this reason, it was not possible to compare the radiographs performed with no thermal treatment, that have had the appropriate filling of the contrast. The digital angiography in horses was showed to be a sensible method to evidence in vivo vasoconstriction and vasodilatation inside the hoof, however this method cannot be use to analyze alteration in the laminar perfusion because some techniques artefactual.
angiography; distal phalange; horse
