[The complications associated with the performance of heart catheterizations (diagnostic and therapeutic). The results in the Hemodynamics Laboratory of Hospital de Santa Marta].

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the morbidity and mortality with cardiac catheterization (diagnostic and intervention).

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of complications occurring within 24 h of a cardiac catheterization, in three consecutive years (1989-1991).

SETTING

Patients admitted to the Haemodynamic Laboratory of Santa Marta Hospital-Lisbon.

PATIENTS

4014 patients submitted to diagnostic and interventional procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Registry analyze in order to obtain the following data: pathology, age, vascular approach and complications of cardiac catheterization.

RESULTS

In three years there were 4014 cardiac procedures. 53.6% were performed in patients with coronary artery disease, 20% with valvular heart disease, 8.1% with congenital heart disease, 16.1% with others pathologies and 2.2% revealed normal vessels in coronary angiography. The incidence of ischemic heart disease was progressively higher in the studied years: 51.9% in 1989, 52.4% in 1990 and 55.2% in 1991. Data from population age showed the same tendency: mean age was 51, 53 and 55 years, respectively. Femoral approach was attempted in 95% of the studies, and the axillary in 2.15%. Complications of diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures occurred in 3% of the patients. Dead occurred in 0.14%; arrhythmia, 0.37%; vascular, 0.14%; vasovagal/pyrogen reactions, 0.73%; myocardial infarction, 0.05%; and others, 1.58%.

CONCLUSION

The diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization in experienced laboratories are a safe procedure with a reduced incidence of major complications.