Coronary angiography: indications, results and complications in 5000 consecutive patients

Abstract

Background: There are guidelines about equipment, premises, personnel, indications and complication rates for coronary angiograph\y, that every center personnel, indications and complications rates for coronary performing this procedure should adhere. Aim: To report the experience with 5.000 coronary angiographies and to assess the compliance of the center with the current guidelines. Material and methods: Prospective registry of 5.000 patients aged 60+/-01 years (3.475 males) subjected to coronary angiograpl. p since 1992, assessing all aspects of the procedure with special emphasis on complications. Results: The indications for 80% of procedures was suspected coronary atherosclerosis. The main risk factors were hypertension, and smoking, Coronary atherosclerosis was demonstrated in 62%, mainly one vessel disease. These were two deaths due to The procedure (0.04%), three patients (0.06%) had an acute myocardial infarction or a stroke. These figures are lower than referential values. Conclusions: In this center, coronag angiography is a safe procedure, with complications rates that are even lower than referential values.