Magnetic Resonance versus Conventional Angiography in Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease

To the Editor: The article by Owen et al. (June 11 issue)* ostensibly demonstrates the superiority of magnetic resonance (MR) angiography in identifying patent pedal vessels that were not identified by conventional angiography. Although I have no doubt that MR angiography will someday replace much of conventional angiography, the choice of this study to foster such an evolutionary change would be premature. The Methods section describes the authors' technique of conventional contrast arteriography. There is relatively infrequent use (in 3 of 23 patients) of digital-subtraction angiography (DSA), a widely used technique that is available in most angiography laboratories. It is…