Spectrum of Complications and Complication Rates After Diagnostic Catheter Angiography in Neuroradiology

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the total complication rates and type of complications after diagnostic cerebral and spinal catheter angiography. METHODS: Data from 2340 patients undergoing diagnostic angiography over a period of 10 years in a neuroradiologic center were retrospectively evaluated. Local, systemic, neurological, and technical complications were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 75 clinically noted complications occurred. The risk for clinical complications was increased when the angiography was performed under emergency conditions (p = 0.009). The most common complication was groin hematoma (1.32%). Neurological complications occurred in 0.68% of patients, of which 0.13% were stroke with permanent disability. Technical complications without noticeable clinical symptoms of the patients occurred in 2.35% of the angiographic procedures. Deaths caused by angiography did not occur. CONCLUSION: There is a definite risk for complications after diagnostic angiography. Although a very broad spectrum of complications was considered, complications in the individual subgroups showed a low incidence.