Acute oliguric renal failure developed in 8 patients after catheterization angiography without bilateral renal arteriography. The cause for this complication remains obscure. Severe dehydration, shock, overdose of contrast medium, or multiple myeloma could not be implicated. From retrospective analysis of these cases, multiple factors seem to be operative in these generally severely ill patients. Early recognition and adequate management may prevent life-threatening effects of this infrequent, but potentially serious angiographic complication.