Ultrasound-guided compression repair of femoral pseudoaneurysms complicating cardiac catheterization.
BACKGROUND
Femoral pseudoaneurysms complicate cardiac catheterizations in up to 3.2% of cases. Ultrasound-guided compression repair (UGCR) is a known valid alternative therapy to surgical and percutaneous repair. We evaluated its safety and efficacy in a series of patients.


METHODS
Patients with clinical findings suggesting pseudoaneurysm after cardiac catheterization, underwent echo-color and duplex studies. When a pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed, the patient underwent UGCR until closure or for 50 min. A groin compression bandage was applied after the procedure and patients were put on bed rest for 12-18 hours; a new ultrasound study was performed the day after the procedure: when the UGCR procedure failed, patients were referred to a vascular surgeon or interventional radiologist. When possible, a third ultrasound study was performed 1 month after the procedure.


RESULTS
Between January 2001 and June 2003, 15 pseudoaneurysms were diagnosed and treated by means of UGCR. The UGCR procedure (UGCR followed by groin bandage) was successful in 13 cases (87%); 1 patient underwent surgical repair and 1 patient underwent percutaneous repair. No local or systemic complications were observed following UGCR.


CONCLUSIONS
Pseudoaneurysm UGCR constitutes a safe and valid procedure; it is less invasive and easier to perform than percutaneous and surgical repair.
Tarro Genta
Franco
F
Cardiology Division, S. Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS-Casa di Cura Major, Turin, Italy. ftarrogenta@fsm.it
Bevilacqua
Riccardo
R
Bosimini
Enzo
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001458:Bandages; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex