Assessment of the optimal site of femoral artery puncture and angiographic anatomical study of the common femoral artery

Factors related to high bifurcation level of common femoral artery

BACKGROUND

Common femoral artery (CFA) puncture is performed for endovascular treatment. However, we sometimes experience branch punctures when the CFA bifurcation level is high. In this study, we examined the frequency of high CFA bifurcation level and related factors.

METHODS

The CFA bifurcation level was identified in 100 patients, who underwent cerebral angiography or endovascular treatment by femoral artery (FA) puncture, on 191 sides. The height of the CFA bifurcation level was classified into three groups: normal, high, and very high. Age, gender, left-right difference, height, weight, body mass index, and comorbidities, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes, were examined to determine the factors associated with high CFA bifurcation level.

RESULTS

The normal, high, and very high groups were on 142, 35, and 14 sides, respectively. The high and very high groups, which were defined as high CFA bifurcation levels, accounted for 25% of all patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that the proportion of patients with high CFA bifurcation levels was higher in the elderly (p = 0.009) and those with a history of diabetes (p = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately one-fourth of all patients undergoing cerebral angiography or endovascular treatment by FA puncture had high CFA bifurcation levels, which had a significant association with old age and history of diabetes. For urgent treatment, FA puncture might be performed at a higher level below the inguinal ligament if patients are elderly of those with a history of diabetes.

High Deep Femoral Artery Bifurcation Can Disturb Safe Femoral Venous Access: CT Assessment in Patients Who Underwent Femoral Venous Access Under Doppler Ultrasound Guidance

PURPOSE

To retrospectively evaluate the variations of deep femoral artery (DFA) bifurcation on computed tomography (CT) and technical success in femoral venous access.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CT images of 353 patients who underwent adrenal venous sampling were evaluated. Height with relation to the inferior border of the femoral head and direction of DFA bifurcations were classified as follows: type L, low bifurcation; type H1, high lateral bifurcation; type H2, high posterior to posterolateral bifurcation; type H3, high posteromedial bifurcation; and type H4, high medial bifurcation crossing in front of the femoral vein. Technical success and complications during femoral venous access were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The frequencies of types L, H1, H2, H3, and H4 were 82.7%, 9.1%, 6.9%, 0.4%, and 0.9%, respectively. In 92.2% of type H1 and 69.4% of type H2, the superior femoral artery displaced medially by the high DFA partially overlapped the femoral vein. Upon the inclusions of H3 and H4, in 14.4% of cases, the high DFAs could obstruct the access route to the femoral vein. Using Doppler ultrasound guidance, no significant differences were observed in the rates of success for puncture in the first attempt (84.5% vs. 75.4%, p = 0.122) and accidental arterial puncture (1.0% vs. 0%, p = 1.00) between low and high DFA bifurcations, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

High DFA bifurcation is observed in 17.3% of patients and could obstruct the access route to the femoral vein. This can be evaluated using Doppler ultrasound guidance to avoid accidental arterial puncture during femoral venous access.

Combined injury of femoral artery and femoral nerve after blunt trauma to the proximal femur: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Combined femoral arterial and nerve injury does not often occur in cases of proximal femur fracture (hip fracture) and is often overlooked in the emergency medical setting. Physicians should be aware of this rare but possible combination of injuries, which can lead to devastating and disabling patient outcomes.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 42-year-old Ethiopian male was struck by a steel pipe, rushed to the emergency room, and diagnosed with a left subtrochanteric fracture of the femur. Although promptly taken to surgery for fixation and exploration of the femoral artery, it became necessary to amputate his leg 1 week later.

DISCUSSION

Blunt injuries to the femoral nerve and femoral arterial tree are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. These injuries should not be overlooked when diagnosing patients with blunt trauma to the femur.

CONCLUSION

When treating patients presenting with blunt trauma to the femur, several factors may obfuscate the clinician's need to perform a thorough examination of the femoral artery and femoral nerves. Among other things, the patient may not immediately present with signs of hemodynamic instability, similar to our reported case. The clinician may also be invested in treating the patient according to the Advanced Trauma Life Support protocol. When treating blunt hip trauma patients, clinicians should recognize that even blunt trauma to the femur may critically damage the femoral artery and nerve.

Redefining the fluoroscopic landmarks for common femoral arterial puncture during cardiac catheterization: Femoral angiogram and computed tomography angiogram (FACT) study of common femoral artery anatomy

BACKGROUND

The mid-femoral head (F₅₀ ) is a common fluoroscopic target for common femoral artery (CFA) puncture during cardiac catheterization. Punctures above the inguinal ligament (marking the proximal end of CFA) increase the risk of retroperitoneal hemorrhage and are classified as high punctures.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 114 CT angiograms for the anatomic relationship of the inguinal ligament to the femoral head (FH) and inferior epigastric artery (IEA). We analyzed 114 CT angiograms and 500 femoral angiograms, for the relation of the mid-point of CFA to F₅₀ and F₇₅ (the junction of upper 3/4th and lower 1/4th of FH).

RESULTS

The proximal third of femoral head (F₃₃ ) (-1.4 mm) and IEA nadir (-2.9 mm) were closer approximations to the inguinal ligament than the IEA origin (-12.8 mm) or cranial end of FH (-15.2 mm). The inguinal ligament correlated better with the IEA nadir than F₃₃ (R²  = 0.49 vs. 0.001). F₇₅ was a closer approximation for the mid-point of the CFA than F₅₀ (0.3 mm vs. -9.2 mm). Using F₇₅ as the target for CFA puncture carried the lowest risk for non-CFA punctures (18.6%), while using F₅₀ had a 41.2% risk for non-CFA punctures. F₇₅ had an increased risk for low punctures (14.2%) but F₅₀ had a far higher risk for high punctures (36.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

The nadir of IEA is the best landmark for identifying the inguinal ligament (the proximal end of CFA) and defining high punctures. F₇₅ is a more accurate target for successful CFA puncture than F_50.

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.

Prepuncture Ultrasound Examination Facilitates Safe and Accurate Common Femoral Artery Access for Transfemoral Cerebral Angiography

Objective

We aimed to introduce our method involving prepuncture ultrasound scan for cannulation of the common femoral artery (CFA) during transfemoral cerebral angiography (TFCA), and to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes.

Material and Methods

Our study included 90 patients who underwent prepuncture ultrasound examination of the inguinal area for TFCA between April 2015 and June 2015. Prior to skin preparation and draping of the inguinal area, we identified the CFA and its bifurcation using ultrasound. Based on the ultrasound findings, we marked cruciate lines in the inguinal area. Thereafter, we inserted a puncture needle at the interface between the horizontal and vertical lines at a 30-45° angle, simultaneously palpating the pulsation of the femoral artery. After TFCA was completed, femoral artery angiography was performed in the anteroposterior and oblique directions. Clinical and radiological parameters, including CFA cannulation, the ultrasound scan time, the first pass success rate, the time required for the passage of the wire, and complications, were evaluated.

Results

The mean ultrasound scan time of the CFA and its bifurcation was 72.6 seconds, and the mean time between administration of local anesthesia and wire passage was 67.44 seconds. The first pass success rate was 77.8% (70/90 patients), and the CFA puncture rate was 98.8% (89/90 patients). Although minor complications were noted in 7 patients, no patient reported serious complications (a large hematoma [≥ 5 cm], pseudoaneurysms, dissection, and/or a retroperitoneal hematoma.).

Conclusion

Prepuncture ultrasound examination might be a simple, safe, and accurate technique for cannulation of the CFA during TFCA.