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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
Published on: February 7, 2015
Safety of arch aortography for assessment of carotid arteries
V Berczi1, M Randall, R Balamurugan
1The Sheffield Vascular Institute, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK. berczi@hotmail.com
Insights
Arch aortography demonstrates a low complication rate, with no focal neurological events or deaths reported in 311 patients. This vascular imaging technique appears safer than selective carotid angiography regarding neurological complications.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Imaging
- Interventional Radiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Arch aortography is a diagnostic imaging procedure.
- Assessing the safety of arch aortography is crucial for patient care.
- Comparison with selective catheter angiography provides valuable clinical context.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively review the safety of arch aortography.
- To compare complication rates of arch aortography with published data for selective catheter angiography.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 311 patients undergoing arch aortography over 3 years.
- Recording of all peri-procedural complications within 0-48 hours.
- Classification of neurological events by certified neurologists.
Main Results:
- No focal neurological events or deaths occurred (0%).
- Minor non-focal neurological events (disorientation, unequal pupils) were infrequent (0.6%, 0.3%).
- Access site complications occurred in 8.7% but did not prolong hospital stay.
Conclusions:
- Arch aortography exhibits a low neurological complication rate.
- The safety profile suggests arch aortography may be preferable to selective carotid angiography for certain indications.
Purpose:
To retrospectively review the safety of arch aortography and compare complication rates with published figures for selective catheter angiography.
Methods:
The medical records of patients undergoing arch aortography over the last 3 years (n=311; 180 male, 131 female; mean+/-SD age 71.0+/-9.2 years, range 42-90 years) were retrospectively reviewed. Any peri-procedural (0-48 h) complications were recorded. A certified neurologist (MSR/GSV) classified all questionable neurological events.
Results:
There were no focal neurological events or deaths (n=0; 0%; CI: 0-0.96%). Non-focal neurological events included mild disorientation (n=2; 0.6%; CI: 0.176-2.31) and unequal pupils (n=1; 0.3%; CI: 0.056-1.79%). Cardiovascular events included symptomatic hypotension (n=4; 1.3%; CI: 0.50-3.25%), angina (n=1; 0.3%; CI: 0.056-1.79%) and arrhythmia (n=4; 1.3%; CI: 0.50-3.25). There were 27 minor access site complications (8.7%; CI: 6.0-12.3). None of these complications extended hospital stay. None of the arch angiograms had to be followed by selective carotid angiography.
Conclusion:
Arch aortography appears to have a lower neurological complication rate than selective carotid angiography.
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