The femoral artery-predilection site for iatrogenic vascular injuries. Causes and therapy.

The study evaluates the number of cases, the causes and therapy of iatrogenic injuries to the femoral artery during and after the transfemoral angiographies, which were performed (1968-1975) in the Klinikum of RWTH Aachen. Total rate of complications was 0.15%. Operative indications were as follows: 1 degree hemorrhage in 4 patients, 2 degrees acute ischemic syndrome in 5 patients, 3 degrees a false aneurysm with intermittent claudication in 2 patients. The pathomorphological substrate of the lesions is reviewed and related to corresponding etiological factors. Therapeutic procedures are considered in relation to recent vascular surgical aspects. With the exception of a hemodynamically effective stenosis, reconstructive surgery involved no complication. Principles to be observed in preventing iatrogenic damage to the femoral artery while performing surgical diagnostics are discussed.