Outpatient angiography

During the last few years it has been generally accepted that angiography can be performed on an outpatient basis. In 1988 and 1989, 130 angiographies were done in this manner at the Regional Hospital in Trondheim. All the examinations were carried out by conventional transfemoral techniques. After the procedure the patients were observed for six hours in the surgical ward of the hospital before going home. 25 patients had to be hospitalized after examination. Only in two cases this was due to minor complications of the angiography. None of the patients experienced complications after discharge from hospital. The conclusion is that outpatient angiography must be considered a safe and cost-effective procedure. 10 refs., 2 tabs