Incidence and predictors of post-catheterization femoral artery pseudoaneurysms

Idiopathic pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery with endovascular treatment: A case report

Popliteal pseudoaneurysms are a rare vascular pathology, usually caused by trauma or iatrogenic interventions. Idiopathic cases are exceptionally uncommon. This case report aims to describe the diagnosis and successful endovascular treatment of an idiopathic pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery in a 90-year-old bedridden female patient presented with acute pain and swelling in the left knee at the emergency department. The patient underwent successful endovascular treatment with a covered stent and thrombin injection, leading to complete exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm. Popliteal pseudoaneurysms are a rare pathology, and idiopathic cases are even more uncommon. Endovascular therapy for popliteal pseudoaneurysms is associated with lower morbidity and mortality rates compared to open surgical repair. This case report highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists in the management of rare vascular pathologies.

Strategies for Reducing Vascular and Bleeding Risk for Percutaneous Left Ventricular Assist Device-supported High-risk Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

In patients at high risk for haemodynamic instability during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), practitioners are increasingly opting for prophylactic mechanical circulatory support, such as the Impella® heart pump (Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA). Though Impella-supported high-risk PCI (HRPCI) ensures haemodynamic stability during the PCI procedure, access-related complication rates have varied significantly in published studies. Reported variability in complication rates relates to many factors, including anticoagulation practices, access and closure strategy, post-procedure care and variations in event definitions. This article aims to outline optimal strategies to minimize vascular and bleeding complications during Impella-supported HRPCI based on previously identified clinical, procedural and postprocedural risk factors. Practices to reduce complications include femoral skills training, standardized protocols to optimize access, closure, anticoagulation management and post-procedural care, as well as the application of techniques and technological advances. Protocols integrating these strategies to mitigate access-related bleeding and vascular complications for Impella-supported procedures can markedly limit vascular access risk as a barrier to appropriate large-bore mechanical circulatory support use in HRPCI.

Iatrogenic Deep Femoral Artery Pseudoaneurysm Causing Quadriceps Paralysis: An Indication for Open Surgery in an Endovascular Era

Contemporary management of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms is mostly performed using non-surgical techniques. Herein, we present a rare case of deep femoral artery (DFA) pseudoaneurysm with compression neuropathy, which required open repair. A 67-year-old female patient presented with increasing pain in the right groin, sensory neuropathy of the anteromedial thigh and upper leg, and quadriceps paralysis 4 days after coronary angiography via femoral puncture. Computed tomography angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the DFA. The disabling compressive neuropathy warranted urgent open decompression rather than thrombin injection or endovascular therapy. Timely open evacuation of the hematoma, release of compression on the femoral nerve, and postoperative physiotherapy resulted in complete recovery of quadriceps power. The patient was pain free within 12 weeks and able to ambulate independently. This case report highlights the role of prompt open surgery for pseudoaneurysms with compression neuropathy.

Safety and Effectiveness of Percutaneous Low-Dose Thrombin Injection for Femoral Puncture Site Pseudoaneurysms in Neurointervention: Single-Center Experience

PURPOSE

We present ultrasound-guided percutaneous low-dose thrombin (200-250 IU) injection for the treatment of iatrogenic femoral pseudoaneurysms. Second, we compared patient and procedure factors between subcutaneous hematoma and pseudoaneurysm groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From April 2012 to May 2018, 8425 patients underwent neurointervention. Among these patients, 18 had small subcutaneous hematomas and 6 had pseudoaneurysms. Pseudoaneurysms in the neck and entire sac were visualized, and low-dose thrombins were injected while visualizing a "whirlpool" hyperechoic core in the pseudoaneurysm sac. Subcutaneous hematomas were treated with simple compression. We compared the following parameters between the subcutaneous hematoma group and pseudoaneurysm group: sex, age, body mass index (BMI), type of procedure, heparin usage, sheath size, procedure time, and number of previous neurointervention procedures with the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

Most of the pseudoaneurysms were successfully occluded with 200 IU of thrombin (n=5). Only 1 pseudoaneurysm required a slightly higher thrombin concentration (250 IU, n=1). During the short-term follow-up, no residual sac was observed and no surgical repair was necessary. Pain in the groin region was alleviated. During the 1-month follow-up, no evidence of pseudoaneurysm recurrence nor subcutaneous hematoma was noted. Patient factors (sex, age, and BMI) and procedure factors (heparin usage, sheath size, procedure time, number of previous procedures) were not statistically different between the subcutaneous hematoma and pseudoaneurysm groups.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous low-dose thrombin injection (200-250 IU) is safe, effective, and less invasive for treating iatrogenic femoral pseudoaneurysm in neurointervention.

Successful Treatment of a Superficial Femoral Artery Pseudoaneurysm with Balloon Tamponade

The development of post-catheterization arterial pseudoaneurysms is one of the most common vascular access complications following angiographies and endovascular interventions. Different therapeutic options to treat these lesions have been used. We herein report the case of a 79-year-old woman who was referred to our service for evaluation with a post-catheterization superficial femoral artery pseudoaneurysm measuring 4 cm. Owing to the anatomical location of the arterial pseudoaneurysm and the patient’s refusal to undergo open surgery, we treated the lesion using an endovascular approach with a balloon tamponade. The procedure was successful, and the patient recovered well and was discharged from the hospital without complications. At 6-month follow-up she remained symptom-free and without recurrence.

Segmental Arterial Mediolysis: A Case Study and Review of the Literature in Accurate Diagnosis and Management

Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is a rare noninflammatory, nonarteriosclerotic arteriopathy of an unknown etiology. It most commonly affects the medium-sized vessels of the abdomen and is characterized by the disruption of the arterial medial layer. Although histological confirmation remains the gold standard in diagnosis, the use of computed tomography angiography (CTA) has greatly aided the diagnosis and surveillance of SAM. Given its rarity and angiographic similarities to other vasculopathies, the diagnosis of SAM can be challenging and is often missed. We describe the case of a 46-year-old male patient who presented to our institution with abdominal pain and multiple foci of intra-abdominal arterial dissections on CTA. We report the acute management via endovascular intervention and review the literature with respect to the diagnosis and management of this rare condition. SAM remains an uncommon yet significant disease process requiring prompt and accurate diagnosis. Initiation of immediate treatment is crucial, given the knowledge gap about its natural progression.

Incidence and predictors of groin complications early after coronary artery intervention: a prospective observational study

Background

Coronary artery disease remains the most common single cause of death worldwide. Percutaneous coronary intervention is an appropriate management for coronary artery disease which is not free from its potential complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence rate and the predictors of groin complications post percutaneous coronary intervention in cardiac catheterization laboratories in Jordan.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study with a consecutive sample of 300 patients post percutaneous coronary intervention procedure. Data were collected from the cardiac health care center using a pre-structured observational sheet. Any groin complication developed within the first 24 h post procedure was recorded. All correlated variables were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

The sample included 237 (79%) men and 63 (21%) women with a mean age of 57.46 ± 10.51 years. A total of 114 patients (38%) developed one or more groin complications. Ecchymosis was the most frequent groin complication; 102 (34%). Females and participants greater than 65 years were nearly two times more likely to develop groin complications (OR = 2.13, P = .024, 95% CI: 1.11-4.01) and (OR = 2.14, P = .023, 95% CI: 1.11-4.13) compared to other groups. Patients with a systolic blood pressure before sheath removal greater than 180 mmHg were about ten times more likely to develop groin complications (OR = 9.82, P = .001, 95% CI: 2.58-37.37).

Conclusions

Different factors can increase the risk of groin complications post percutaneous coronary intervention. Therefore, identification of high risk groups (i.e. females) might help in the application of different methods to control these complications.

Risk factors attributed to failure of ultrasound-guided compression for post-cardiac catheterization femoral artery pseudoaneurysms

Background:

Femoral pseudoaneurysm is the most important access site complication following cardiac catheterization. Ultrasound-guided compression repair is a safe and effective therapeutic modality with variable failure rates and risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate which factors were associated with a higher incidence of ultrasound-guided compression repair failure for post-cardiac catheterization femoral pseudoaneurysm.

Methods:

Data were retrospectively collected from medical records at King Abdullah University Hospital during the period from January 2011 to December 2016. A total of 42 patients with post-cardiac catheterization femoral pseudoaneurysm had attempted ultrasound-guided compression repair. Data regarding patients, procedure and aneurysm-related factors were evaluated by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression.

Results:

Ultrasound-guided compression repair failed in 31% of the patients. Patients with body mass index of ⩾28 kg/m², platelet count of ⩽180,000/L, time lag (age of aneurysm) of >48 h following puncture time, aneurysmal neck diameter of ⩾4 mm and communicating tract length of <8 mm were associated with higher rate of ultrasound-guided compression repair failure in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, time lag (age of aneurysm) > 48 h (odds ratio = 5.7), body mass index ⩾ 28 kg/m² (odds ratio = 7.8), neck diameter > 4 mm (odds ratio = 14.4) and tract length < 8 mm (odds ratio = 18.6) were significantly associated with ultrasound-guided compression repair failure.

Conclusion:

Ultrasound-guided compression repair for patients with post-cardiac catheterization femoral pseudoaneurysm was successful in 69% of the patients. Risk factors for failed ultrasound-guided compression repair were as follows: delayed ultrasound-guided compression repair of >48 h, body mass index ⩾ 28 kg/m², wide neck diameter > 4 mm and short aneurysmal communication tract < 8 mm.

Factors associated with pseudoaneurysm development and necessity for reintervention: a single centre study

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the factors associated with pseudoaneurysm development and morphology. Measure ultrasound-guided thrombin injection (UGTI) and surgical treatment outcomes for pseudoaneurysms, and the necessity for post-primary intervention (reintervention).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of ultrasound scans and CT angiography of peripheral pseudoaneurysm interventions from February 2011 to April 2017. 99 patients (61.6% female) were identified; median age 72 years (range 12-89). Multivariate analysis of patient demographics, including pre-intervention anticoagulant and antiplatelet medication was performed.

RESULTS

Primary intervention for peripheral pseudoaneurysms (62.6% common femoral artery) included 93 UGTI and 6 surgical repairs; with 12 reinterventions (9 UGTI and 3 surgical). Pseudoaneurysm incidence for vascular interventional radiology (VIR) was 0.48% (31/6451) and cardiology was 0.24% (60/25,229). Rates for primary success, immediate complications, 30-day mortality and reintervention were measured respectively for UGTI (98.9%, 3.0%, 2.0%, and 11.8%) and surgical repair (100%, 0.0%, 22.2% and 16.7%). Reintervention risk factors included pre-intervention thrombocytopaenia (<150 × 10⁹/L) ( p = 0.025) and pseudoaneurysms following vascular surgery (p = 0.033). Other positive associations for reintervention (non-significant) included use of a sheath size > 6 Fr ( p = 0.108) or arterial closure device ( p = 0.111) during the pseudoaneurysm causative procedure. The pre-intervention warfarin subgroup developed a larger mean pseudoaneurysm sac size (4.21 cm, range 0.9-7.6), compared to no treatment (p = 0.003), aspirin (p = 0.005) and clopidogrel (p = 0.026) subgroups. UGTI dosage for thrombosis had a positive correlation with incremental sac size increase (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The main reintervention risk factor was pre-intervention thrombocytopaenia, with additional positive associations including pseudoaneurysms caused by surgery, increased sheath size and arterial closure devices. Warfarinized patients developed larger sac-sized pseudoaneurysms compared with other pre-intervention regimens, with positive correlation of higher UGTI dosage required for thrombosis.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Patients with pre-intervention thrombocytopaenia and pseudoaneurysms attributed to vascular surgery are subgroups that may benefit from post-intervention imaging surveillance due to significant reintervention risk.

The challenge of asymptomatic coronary artery disease in aircrew; detecting plaque before the accident

Coronary events remain a major cause of sudden incapacitation, including death, in both the general population and among aviation personnel, and are an ongoing threat to flight safety and operations. The presentation is often unheralded, especially in younger adults, and is often due to rupture of a previously non-obstructive coronary atheromatous plaque. The challenge for aeromedical practitioners is to identify individuals at increased risk for such events. This paper presents the NATO Cardiology Working Group (HFM 251) consensus approach for screening and investigation of aircrew for asymptomatic coronary disease.A three-phased approach to coronary artery disease (CAD) risk assessment is recommended, beginning with initial risk-stratification using a population-appropriate risk calculator and resting ECG. For aircrew identified as being at increased risk, enhanced screening is recommended by means of Coronary Artery Calcium Score alone or combined with a CT coronary angiography investigation. Additional screening may include exercise testing, and vascular ultrasound imaging. Aircrew identified as being at high risk based on enhanced screening require secondary investigations, which may include functional ischaemia, and potentially invasive coronary angiography. Functional stress testing as a stand-alone investigation for significant CAD is not recommended in aircrew. Aircrew identified with coronary disease require further clinical and aeromedical evaluation before being reconsidered for flying status.

Combining Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Hematoma Aspiration and Compression Repair to Treat Femoral Artery Pseudoaneurysm after Cardiac Catheterization

This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new developed method that uses percutaneous ultrasound-guided hematoma aspiration followed by targeted localized manual compression for treatment of femoral artery pseudoaneurysm after cardiac catheterization, which obviates thrombin use, surgery, and long-time compression.From January 2007 to July 2014, 32 patients (17 women; mean age, 55.3 ± 11.5 years) out of 8,725 consecutive cases undergoing cardiac catheterization via femoral access developed one pseudoaneurysm each ranging in size from 21 × 11 mm to 72 × 39 mm. Under ultrasound guidance, blood within the pseudoaneurysm was aspirated percutaneously using an 18-gauge needle, while the pseudoaneurysm neck and a nearby site over the pseudoaneurysm were manually compressed for 15 min. All patients underwent repeat ultrasound examination 24 hours later.Of the 32 pseudoaneurysms, 31 were successfully occluded, and 1 recurred in a patient with coexisting arteriovenous fistula, yielding an overall success rate of 96.9% (31/32). No further recurrence or procedure related complications were observed. The treatment approach is unlike open surgical repair with hematoma evacuation and arterial defect suturing, in that it entails hematoma aspiration and feeding flow blockage at the pseudoaneurismal neck.In this preliminary experience, combining percutaneous ultrasound-guided hematoma aspiration and manual compression appears safe and effective in treating femoral artery pseudoaneurysms after catheterization and avoids thrombin use, long-time compression, and surgery.

Idiopathic Giant Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm (HAP) incidence is rising due to more common use of endoscopic and percutaneous hepatic interventions. HAP is potentially fatal, as it could lead to sudden life-threatening hemorrhage. HAP can be intrahepatic or extrahepatic. On computed tomography angiogram (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA), HAP follows blood pool on multiphasic examination, with brisk arterial enhancement that washes out, similar to the abdominal aorta on later phases. We present a case of idiopathic giant HAP in an 82-year-old male. Currently, angioembolization is replacing surgery as the initial modality of choice for management of this condition.

Flow Reduction-Aided Thrombin Injection for Complex Femoral Pseudoaneurysms: Case Series and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Peripheral pseudoaneurysms are a known complication of vascular access procedures. Complex lesions-those with short, wide necks or other complex arrangements-would conventionally require open repair, but we believe that even these lesions could be managed with an endovascular approach.

METHODS

Four patients with complex pseudoaneurysms were offered an open repair or thrombin injection with the use of flow-reducing balloons.

RESULTS

In our series of 4 patients with complex pseudoaneurysms, all were safely treated with percutaneous thrombin injection in conjunction with endovascular flow reduction. All patients recovered from their procedures without incident and are free from recurrence at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Flow reduction-aided thrombin injection may have particular utility in complex femoral pseudoaneurysms, especially in a patient population that may not tolerate open repair. High-risk lesions may merit special consideration for this technique, and further study is warranted.

Comparison between ultrasound-guided compression and para-aneurysmal saline injection in the treatment of postcatheterization femoral artery pseudoaneurysms

Management of postcatheterization femoral artery pseudoaneurysm (FAP) is problematic. Ultrasound-guided compression (UGC) is painful and cumbersome. Thrombin injection is costly and may cause thromboembolism. Ultrasound-guided para-aneurysmal saline injection (PASI) has been described but was never compared against other treatment methods of FAP. We aimed at comparing the success rate and complications of PASI versus UGC. We randomly assigned 80 patients with postcatheterization FAPs to either UGC (40 patients) or PASI (40 patients). We compared the 2 procedures regarding successful obliteration of the FAP, incidence of vasovagal attacks, procedure time, discontinuation of antiplatelet and/or anticoagulants, and the Doppler waveform in the ipsilateral pedal arteries at the end of the procedure. There was no significant difference between patients in both groups regarding clinical and vascular duplex data. The mean durations of UGC and PASI procedures were 58.14 ± 28.45 and 30.33 ± 8.56 minutes, respectively (p = 0.045). Vasovagal attacks were reported in 10 (25%) and 2 patients (5%) treated with UGC and PASI, respectively (p = 0.05). All patients in both groups had triphasic Doppler waveform in the infrapopliteal arteries before and after the procedure. The primary and final success rates were 75%, 92.5%, 87.5%, and 95% for UGC and PASI, respectively (p = 0.43). In successfully treated patients, there was no reperfusion of the FAP in the follow-up studies (days 1 and 7) in both groups. In conclusion, ultrasound-guided PASI is an effective method for the treatment of FAP. Compared with UGC, PASI is faster, less likely to cause vasovagal reactions, and can be more convenient to patients and physicians.