CONTRAINDICATIONS

Renal diseases resulting in a blood urea of 70 mgr. or more is considered a contraindication. In such cases we try to avoid the angiographic examination and resort to other kind of examination if possible. Arterial hypertension indicates carefulness. We have the feeling that the vascular svstem in such cases reacts more severely than in normal cases. The flushing of the face and the unpleasant sensations are more pronounced and there is a transitory elevation of the arterial pressure. Our experience includes a hypertensive patient with a systolic pressure of 190 m.m.Hg. After the angiography the systolic pressure was noted to have risen to 280 m.m.Hg. It gradually subsided to about 250 m.m.Hg. the next day. The pressure did not return to the original level of 190 m.m. before the discharge from the departement. Clinically it was obvious that the examination had been a strain on his condition. Cases of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage according to our opinion should if possible not be exposed to this kind of examination during the acute periode. We make a rule of postponing angiography about 2 weeks if possible. We have not found it necessary to test our clientele on hypersensitivness to iodine. In three or four cases we have noted doubtless signs of moderate hypersensitiveness and in one case only we have seen more severe alergic reactions such as acute swelling of the lips, the eyelids and the face, and a slightly strained respiration but no cyanosis. The reaction subsided in the course of 25 minutes. We always have adrenaline ready for injection in case similar instances should occur.