RESUMEN
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of a non-surgical treatment of the femoral false aneurysm following cardiac catheterization using the color Doppler echocardiography monitorization. METHODS: From August 1993 to October 1996, 17 patients were evaluated by the color Doppler echocardiography, 7 women and 10 men, between 58 and 77 years of age, with the diagnosis of femoral false aneurysms after cardiac catheterization. All the cases were selected for therapy with this new technique, that consisted of the compression of the false aneurysm with the transducer of the ultrasound device and monitorization of the evolution of the false aneurysm thrombosis, through image observation in real time, on the equipment monitor. RESULTS: There were 17 selected patients, 16 were successfully treated, requiring an average of 30 minutes of compression with consequent thrombosis of the false aneurysm, without recurrence in 30 days of follow-up. No complications with the use of this technique were noted and the hospitalization period was, on average, 1 day. CONCLUSION: This technique is efficient, safe and should be the first choice for the therapy of patients with femoral aneurysm following cardiac catheterization.