Ultrasound guided compression therapy for treatment of post catheterization femoral pseudoaneurysms

ABSTRACT

To assess the efficacy of ultrasound guided compression therapy for the treatment of post catheterization femoral pseudoaneurysms. A retrospective review of 21 patients who underwent ultrasound guided compression for treatment of post catheterization pseudoaneurysm at King Hussein Medical Center / Vascular unit between February 2009 and March 2010 was conducted. Fifteen patients were males and 6 were females with mean age of 62 years. Eight patients had diagnostic catheterization while 13 had interventional cardiac procedures. All patients were diagnosed using Duplex scan and were treated with compression. Analysis of the results, efficacy and safety of the ultrasound guided compression treatment modality were discussed. Successful pseudoaneurysm compression was obtained in 16 patients [76%] whereas 5 patients failed compression and underwent surgical repair. Pseudoaneurysm size ranged between 2.0 -4.5 cm. The mean compression time to accomplish closure was 25 minutes. Two patients required more than one session to get a successful result. Pseudoaneurysm involved the common femoral artery in 8 patients while in 13 patients the origin was distal to the femoral artery bifurcation. All patients were followed up one week after successful compression procedure by a new Duplex scan with no recurrence of pseudoaneurysm and no arterial or venous complications were reported. Ultrasound guided compression for the treatment of post catheterization pseudoaneurysm is an effective alternative to surgical repair. It is non invasive and safe modality with high success rate and low complications. It should be considered as a first line of management of uncomplicated femoral pseudoaneurysms