Risks and Benefits of Diagnostic Angiography after Aneurysm Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis of 597 Studies

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Abstract
Cerebral angiography performed after aneurysm surgery can identify potential causes of morbidity and mortality, such as an aneurysm remnant or vessel occlusion (7, 9, 30). In addition, angiography may be necessary to confirm aneurysm obliteration before vasospasm can be safely managed using hypervolemia or angioplasty (24, 36). However, the risks and benefits of postoperative angiography are not clearly defined for patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). During the last 10 years, we have obtained routine postoperative four-vessel angiograms for patients undergoing aneurysm surgery; this retrospective review was therefore undertaken to determine the risks and benefits of postoperative angiography and to identify factors that may be associated with complications or the identification of important findings, such as a residual aneurysm or vessel occlusion.