Complications of angiographic examinations.

A prospective study of angiographic complications in 1,217 consecutive adult patients seen during a 1 year period was undertaken. Neuroangiographic and angiocardiographic examinations were excluded. All forms of complications were reported, including those occurring within 3 days after the examination, and the degree of seriousness was evaluated. Complications at puncture which required surgery occurred in 0.14%. Potentially serious complications from catheter manipulation for selective position in abdominal arteries occurred in 0.5%. At catheterization of the internal iliac artery there was a high frequency of lesions (14.3%), one an indirect cause of lethal outcome. Nine patients had thromboembolic complications, and the value of heparinized catheters is discussed. The frequency of serious complications due to contrast agent was remarkably low.