Local complications in transbrachial cerebral angiography using the 4-F catheter.

Local complications of cerebral angiography using the transbrachial technique were assessed. In 333 patients with cerebrovascular disease 342 catheterizations using a sheathless 4-F catheter were attempted, with 337 successes (98.5%). There were two major and five minor complications (2.1%). A massive hematoma and a pulse deficit were overcome without sequelae. The overall complication incidence was significantly higher in females (5.7%) than in males (0.4%). This procedure requires extra care in female patients.