ABSTRACT
More than one million cardiac catheterization procedures are performed each year in the United States for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Obtaining access through the radial artery has gained popularity in recent years due to its economic as well as its morbidity and mortality benefits over femoral artery access. However, with any invasive procedure there are associated risks, including arteriovenous fistula formation. This case illustrates the formation of an iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula as a complication of transradial coronary catheterization. Albeit rare, this case will discuss the presentation and clinical course of a patient who was diagnosed with a radial arteriovenous fistula seven weeks post-cardiac catheterization. Ultimately, she underwent direct surgical repair with ligation of the venous branches of the arteriovenous circulation.
