Complications of catheter cerebral arteriography: analysis of 5,000 procedures. II. Relation of complication rates to clinical and arteriographic diagnoses.

Clinical (prearteriographic) and arteriographic diagnoses were grouped into six categories each for analysis of central nervous system and systemic complications of 5,000 catheter cerebral arteriograms. Within each category, there was no significant difference in complication rate between clinical and arteriographic diagnoses. The highest complication rates (1.2%-1.9%) were in patients with cerebrovascular occlusive disease, posttraumatic or postoperative conditions, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Significantly lower complication rates (0.2%-0.5%) were found in patients with tumor, seizure or headache, and patients with normal arteriographic findings.