Complications associated with diagnostic cerebral angiography: A retrospective analysis of 644 consecutive cerebral angiographic cases

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate complications (minor and major) that occurred in patients who underwent modern cerebral angiography. Materials and Methods: A retrospective assessment of 644 consecutive cerebral angiographic cases was undertaken with specific emphasis on complications. Results: The most common complication of diagnostic cerebral angiography was groin hematoma seen in 10 (1.55%) patients. One patient had complications arising from the development of a femoral artery pseudoaneurysm. Neurologic complications occurred in 4 (0.62%) cases. Three (0.47%) cases had transient complications which resolved completely within 24 h. One patient (0.16%) was left with permanent hemiplegia. There were 6 (5%) cases of contrast-induced nephropathy out of the 120 cases in whom subarachnoid hemorrhage had occurred and who possessed complete data of kidney function tests. Five of them were reversible, and one was permanent. One patient (0.16%) died from air emboli. Conclusions: Neurologic complications following cerebral angiography are rare but must be minimized by careful case selection and training. Although the risk is small, complications such as permanent disability or even death cannot be completely obviated.