Headache After Cerebral Angiography: Frequency, Predisposing Factors, and Predictors of Recovery

Headache after cerebral angiography is frequent but has received little attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of headache after cerebral angiography. This study also addressed the predisposing factors that facilitate headache recovery.

A total of 327 patients were included. The patients were ≥20 years old, had alert consciousness, and had received digital subtraction cerebral angiography (DSA) for cerebrovascular diseases or intracranial tumors. All the patients stayed in the hospital for ≥24 hours after DSA. Among them, 277 patients who did not complain of headache on admission were analyzed for headache risk factors and incidence after DSA.

Headache developed after DSA in 154 (55.6%) patients. Headache occurrence was independently associated with history of headache (odds ratio [OR] 4.625; P = .014), the indication for DSA (OR 4.141; P < .001), and the education level (OR 1.366; P = .036). Of the 154 patients who experienced headache after DSA, 120 (77.9%) patients recovered within 24 hours. Both diabetes (OR 2.469; P = .043) and the indication for DSA (OR 2.276; P = .028) were independent predisposing factors for headache recovery.

The incidence of headache after DSA was 55.6%. Patients with a previous history of headaches, cerebrovascular disease, or a college education may have a higher risk of developing post-DSA headaches than do those without such history. Headache recovery may be associated with a patient history of diabetes or cerebrovascular disease.