Diagnosis of femoral pseudoaneurysm and factors contributing to its incidence after heart catheterization
Forster, T.; Kardos, A.; Kiss, E.; Varga, A.; Gaál, T.; Csanády, M.
Orvosi Hetilap 132(52): 2897-2899
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-6002 PMID: 1766658 Document Number: 372223
Two-hundred patients who underwent heart catheterization between 30 November 1989 and 30 September 1990, were followed up to establish the frequency of the vascular complications (mainly femoral pseudoaneurysm) of the procedure. Factors were evaluated which may promote the occurrence of femoral pseudoaneurysms. This complication was diagnosed in 6 cases. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography (conventional and colour-coded) played an important role in the diagnosis. Systemic hypertension, anticoagulant therapy, obesity and technical difficulties (multiple punctures and catheter guidance problems) proved to be factors promoting femoral pseudoaneurysms. Serial echocardiograms revealed a tendency to spontaneous healing even in cases of relatively large pseudoaneurysms.