Safety of outpatient angiography: a prospective study.

A prospective study of 100 consecutive outpatient angiograms with catheters on rapid changers was undertaken to ascertain the safety of this protocol. Ninety-four patients could be discharged after a 4 hr surveillance and were still well 1 week later; six patients had to be observed up to 24 hr for minor problems and one was hospitalized the night after his angiogram, for a renal complication. This approach to angiography, emphasizing the outpatient status, seems to be safe and should deserve widespread acceptance.