Transaxillary angiography: an acceptable approach when perfemoral angiography is not acceptable

Transaxillary angiography has been performed in a consecutive series wherever patients were unsuitable for perfemoral angiography. Between 1984 and 1986, transaxillary angiography was performed for 103 patients (81 males and 22 females with a mean age of 64 years). Major complications occurred in 2 patients (1.9%) who required surgical embolectomy with no long term sequelae. Three (2.9%) had a transient neurological deficit which lasted less than 1 week. In our hands transaxillary angiography is the best alternative when perfemoral angiography is not possible.