[Complications following transfemoral embolization of renal carcinoma. Survey and experience (author's transl)].

A comprehensive survey of the complications following 151 transfemoral embolizations of renal carcinoma is presented, including 9 of our own patients. The main side effects seen after this procedure are (in decreasing frequency): elevation of body temperature, transient elevation of arterial blood pressure, impairment of renal function, infection of the necrotic tumor, thromboembolic incidents, and accidental embolization of other organs. Total lethality is about 3.3%. Possible contraindications and precautionary measures are derived from the discussion of the pathophysiologic reactions in the course of the complication: avoidance of therapeutic embolization immediately after diagnostic angiography, strict asepsis, addition of antibiotics to the embolization mixture, prophylactic administration of heparin, and the use of flowdirected balloon catheters.