title: Treatment of postcatheterization femoral arteriovenous fistulas with simple prolonged bandaging.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The methods for the treatment of postcatheterization femoral arteriovenous fistulas (AVF-s) - simple observation, ultrasound guided compression, covered stents implantation and coil embolization have poor outcome. Surgery is the standard method for treatment of femoral AVFs, but it is a traumatic operation. In this study, we report the results of the treatment of postcatheterization femoral AVFs by simple prolonged compressing bandage.
  
  
  METHODS
  To treat iatrogenic femoral AVFs caused by transfemoral catheterization, prolonged binding with elastic or common bandage was applied in 16 cases. Catheterization was performed in 7 cases for radiofrequency current catheter ablation, in 4 for occlusion of congenital heart disease, in 3 for percutaneous coronary intervention, in 1 for coronary angiography and in 1 for right heart catheterization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All iatrogenic femoral AVFs were healed after simple binding with elastic or common bandage for 4 - 46 days (mean (15 +/- 10) days). During the period of binding, local skins ulceration occurred at puncture site in two cases and femoral vein thrombus was found in one patient. During 6 - 24 months (mean (11.8 +/- 3.6) months) followup with colour Doppler ultrasonography, no recurrent arteriovenous shunting or other complications were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that simple prolonged bandaging for postcatheterization femoral AVFs is an effective and economical procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Zhen-jiang
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Sheng-hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Xiang-qian
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Qi-ming
authors.initials: QM
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhen-fei
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Xin-qun
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiao-lin
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Lü
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001458:Bandages; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000473:pathology*; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged