[Coronary angiography: indications, results and complications in 5.000 consecutive patients].

BACKGROUND:There are guidelines about equipment, premises, personnel, indications and complications rates for coronary angiography, that every center 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+/-11 years (3.475 males) subjected to coronary angiography 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, coronary angiography is a safe procedure, with complications rates that are even lower than referential values.