[Coronary angiography in a county hospital]

At a county hospital in northern Norway, coronary angiographies have been performed for more than 25 years. We wanted to compare our complication rates with results from larger hospitals.

Data concerning indication for angiography, findings and complications were collected retrospectively from the files of 837 patients who underwent coronary angiography at our hospital during the last ten years. The number of procedures per year has varied from 30 to 125.

50% of the patients had three-vessel and/or left main coronary artery stenosis. Less than 10% of the patients had no significant coronary stenosis or valvular disease at angiography. The total complication rate was 4.8%. Nine patients (1.1%) had myocardial infarction or stroke with sequelae; three patients died (0.4%).

Our complication rates are higher than those from other larger hospitals in Norway and internationally, but they have decreased over time. The high percentage of serious coronary pathology among our patients may have contributed significantly to the complication rate. In addition, the annual number of exams may have been too low to give sufficient operator training. The results require a continuing evaluation of our practice.