[Acute adverse effects and complications of central venous digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Results of 2,600 studies].

Side-effects and complications from 2,600 intravenous digital-subtraction-angiographies (IV-DSA) are reported. All studies were performed in a standardized technique using a non-ionic contrast agent (Iopromid 370 mg J/ml). Side-effects or complications were noted in 2.5% of all IV-DSA. Most often nausea (0.92%), urticaria (0.5%), angina pectoris (0.5%) and symptomatic alterations of blood-pressure (0.27%) were recorded. 8.4% of all reactions occurred with a delay of at least one hour. All side-effects and complications resolved, partly under symptomatic therapy. In one (0.04%) out of 2,600 studies a severe allergoid reaction occurred, affording intensive-care therapy. With proper patient selection and a suitable technique, IV-DSA may be regarded--within the angiographic methods--as a procedure of relatively low risk.