Femoral pseudoaneurysms requiring surgical treatment.

BACKGROUND

Despite use of arterial closure devices (APCDs) and thrombin injection , surgery is needed at times to repair femoral pseudoaneurysms (FPA) in patients undergoing endovascular interventions. We analysed the indications and results of surgical repair in a tertiary referral center performing more than 6.000 angiographies and/or interventions annually.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this retrospective observational study was to identify local and clinical factors related to the need of surgical repair.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, 122 (0.06%) FPAs treated among 21060 patients over a period of five years were assessed. Patient characteristics and therapeutic procedures were analyzed through hospital records.

RESULTS

There were 15.163 (72%) coronary and 5.897 (27%) peripheral interventions, respectively. In 89 (73%) patients, FPA was successfully treated by ultrasound guided compression (USGC) alone.Thirty-three (28%) patients underwent open surgical repair. Indication for operative treatment was hemodynamic instability in 9 (7%) patients, rapidly expanding haematoma unsuitable for USGC or after unsuccessful USGC in 23 (19%). One (0.8%) patient had an arterio-venous fistula. Intraoperative findings suggest that atypical endovascular access (e.g. deep femoral artery, lateral or medial puncture) and multiple puncture sites and/or laceration of the vessel wall were related to the need for surgery in 22 (67%) cases. Most patients had active antithrombotic therapy. Gender or the nature of procedure (diagnostic vs. intervention) did not increase risk for open repair. One (0.8%) patient died. No amputations were performed. Mean hospital stay of patients undergoing open surgical repair was 11 (range 4-36) days.

CONCLUSIONS

Technical puncture problems were identified in 2/3 of patients requiring open surgery.