Outpatient arteriography at a small community hospital

Most types of arteriographic procedures are performed on an outpatient basis at Knox County General Hospital. Four years of experience indicates no increased incidence of complications between the inpatient and outpatient groups. No patient had to be admitted to the hospital for delayed complications. Observation within the radiology department or short-stay recovery area for up to four hours seems adequate postarteriographic management and safely avoids routine overnight hospital admission.