A hidden complication of out-patient arteriography

Rapid progression of arterial disease may occur between out-patient diagnostic arteriography and therapeutic angioplasty. We have studied the incidence of this complication in our institution. Sixty-seven consecutive out-patient arteriograms were assessed. Thirty-four patients were re-admitted for angioplasty within a median interval of 4 weeks (range 5 days-3 months). We compared immediate pre-angioplasty arteriograms with the out-patient images. Twenty-five pairs of films showed disease progression. Three patients showed new disease, one remote from the site of the arterial lesion and two in the opposite limb. Six patients showed marked progression of the original disease. The policy of delayed treatment after out-patient arteriography may require reconsideration in the light of our complication rate of 18%.