The gold standard for PVD (peripheral vascular disease) diagnosis is angiography. This diagnostic procedure involves inserting a catheter into an artery and injecting a contrast agent to enable imaging of the blood vessels. Angiography is considered the most effective and reliable imaging method for diagnosing PVD, as it provides comprehensive information about the arterial anatomy, patency and flow characteristics.
The procedure allows doctors to accurately identify the location, extent and cause of any PVD lesions, as well as potential complications. It also enables them to measure the severity of the disease and assess the effectiveness of treatments. Since PVD is a progressive disease, diagnosis and management of the disease are important for avoiding severe complications such as amputation.
In addition to angiography, other tests such as ABI (ankle-brachial index), exercise testing, CT scan, MRA (magnetic resonance angiography) and Duplex ultrasound can be used to diagnose PVD, but angiography is still considered the gold standard due to its accuracy. However, because the procedure is invasive and carries some risks, it is typically only recommended for patients who have already undergone non-invasive tests and have not responded to treatments.