Hazards of Arteriography

With the advent of replacement of diseased blood vessels with homografts, the surgical department at the Dayton Veterans' Administration Center Hospital has initiated frequent vascular visualization, using radio-paque dye within the lumen of the vessel. Although complications are infrequent, occasional serious sequelae, including death, may occur. From July, 1954, to October, 1956, the records of 47 patients undergoing aortography and 16 patients with peripheral arteriography have been reviewed, and three significant complications are reported. On the basis of these experiences, we approach arteriography with respect and insist upon proper indications for the surgical procedure.¹

Review of Literature of Peripheral Arteriography  Peirce,² in 1951, described complications of percutaneous arterial catheterization: hemorrhage locally, hematoma formation; arteriovenous fistula; thrombosis of the femoral artery; arterial spasm; traumatic damage to the arterial wall; arterial rupture or dissection, and hypersensitive reaction to various dyes. In the same year Smith³ described precautions to avoid: