Complications of coronary arteriography: A follow-up report

Abstract

A nationwide survey of complications due to coronary arteriography during 1973--74 yielded responses from 176 hospitals (89,079 coronary arteriograms). The overall mortality rate was 0.14% (brachial, 0.12%; femoral, 0.16%). In the brachial group, the mortality rate was three times as high for non-heparinized as for heparinized patients. In institutions performing fewer than 100 examinations per year, the combined incidence of death, myocardial infarction, and cerebral embolism was five times higher than in institutions performing more than 400 examinations per year. Left main coronary artery or three-vessel disease was present in most patients who died of the procedure. Compared to a previous survey of 1970--71, there was a profound decrease in significant complications (including death, myocardial infarction, and cerebral embolism) and entry site complications such as thrombosis. A reduction in mortality with the femoral technique since 1971 was not accounted for by heparinization and may reflect increasing experience with the method and shorter angiographic times.

Relationship of anticoagulation and radiographic contrast agents to thrombosis during coronary angiography and angioplasty: Are there real concerns?

“…In follow-up data collected 2 years later [7], ironically, complications from the femoral approach were not reduced by the addition of heparin as predicted by Judkins and Ganden. However, in the brachial approach group, the risk of myocardial infarction and cerebral em- compatibility.…”

Unplanned admissions after outpatient cardiac catheterization

“…Actual p d u r a l complications occurred in < 1 % of patients, which is in keeping with complication rates found in large inpatient catheterization series. [12][13][14] As our data show, patients undergoing outpatient catheterization may have significant underlying cardiac disease that may require urgent intervention. In our series there were 25 patients with left main stenosis of 2 50%.…”

The importance of intraoperative angiographic findings for predicting long-term patency in coronary artery bypass operations

“…The reported incidence of the different major complications vary between less than 0.1% and up to 3%, but carefully performed examinations with modern equipment are associated with low complication rates. [61][62][63][64] The complication rate at our institution is low. [65][66][67][68] It is higher in older patients, patients with worse New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and multivessel involvement.…”

“…[65][66][67][68] It is higher in older patients, patients with worse New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and multivessel involvement. [61][62][63] Factors such as low patient load 61,69 and prolongation of the procedure time 63,70 are associated with higher complication rates.…”