Radioembolization complicated by dissection of the common femoral artery

The common femoral artery is the most frequently used access site for angiographic procedures in interventional radiology. Potential complications of common femoral arteriotomy include hematoma formation, pseudoaneurysm, uncontrolled groin or retroperitoneal bleeding, acute arterial occlusion, dissection, and arteriovenous fistula formation. In a case such as the one described here, with a common femoral artery dissection with intraluminal thrombus and vessel occlusion, the complication may have occurred at the time of access or at the time of closure, with both procedure-associated and patient-specific risk factors affecting the overall risk of complications. Though some studies have shown an increased risk of complications with the use of arterial closure devices, others have found no increase. In any patient with symptoms following a femoral arteriotomy, rapid diagnosis and treatment is necessary to avoid further complications. Both patient-specific and procedure-associated risk factors should be considered prior to arteriotomy and usage of an arterial closure device.