Complications of pulmonary angiography

Conventional pulmonary angiography is rarely performed except in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Because of the invasive nature of pulmonary angiography, imaging techniques that are relatively noninvasive are recommended. Complications of pulmonary angiography were reported in 1111 patients who underwent angiography in the Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis I (PIOPED I). Pulmonary angiograms were performed through a femoral vein using the Seldinger technique with 6-8 French catheters. Among the patients with less severe or minor complications, many of the complications raised serious concern, some were potentially life-threatening, and some required prolonged monitoring. Major complications occurred more frequently among patients sent for angiography from the medical intensive care unit than patients from elsewhere, 5 of 122 (4%) versus 9 of 989. Minor complications occurred with a similar frequency among patients sent from the medical intensive care unit and from elsewhere, 4 of 122 (3%) versus 56 of 989 (6%).