[Iatrogenic femoral pseudoaneurysm--an urgent surgical indication]

Fifteen patients with an aneurysma spurium of the femoral artery due to coronary angiography had to be operated from March, 1988 till April, 1990. Contrary to our expectations we did not find a culmination of risk factors or relevant arteriosclerosis of the legs in these patients. It were the "young vessels" that were not able to compensate the defects from catheters and locks. In view of two cases of aneurysm rupture with hemorrhage, we consider the aneurysma spurium as an urgent indication for surgery. Only the complete exploration of the vessel permits an exact localization of the aneurysm and possible further defects and thus prevents the development of a secondary aneurysm.