Vascular radiology in the rat

Vascular radiology of the rat was undertaken to study the feasibility of various diagnostic procedures for the demonstration of liver and renal anatomy. Wedged retrograde hepatic venography could not be performed. The demonstration of the hepatic veins occurred only in shocked animals or after pericardial puncture. The venous system of the rat could be visualized from a penile vein injection and this could be repeated at frequent intervals. By this means the arterial system was shown moderately well using simple radiographic apparatus. For the best demonstration of the arterial system a left-sided cardiac puncture was required, but this procedure was neither reliable, repeatable nor safe. The size, shape, calibre, and position, of various components of the venous and arterial systems are described and illustrated as seen radiographically. Further improvements in their visualization should be possible by using more powerful and sophisticated equipment.