Femoral pseudoaneurysms requiring surgical treatment

Despite use of arterial closure devices (APCDs) and thrombin injection , surgery is needed at times to repair femoral pseudoaneurysms (FPA) in patients undergoing endovascular interventions. We analysed the indications and results of surgical repair in a tertiary referral center performing more than 6.000 angiographies and/or interventions annually.

The aim of this retrospective observational study was to identify local and clinical factors related to the need of surgical repair.

In this retrospective study, 122 (0.06%) FPAs treated among 21060 patients over a period of five years were assessed. Patient characteristics and therapeutic procedures were analyzed through hospital records.

There were 15.163 (72%) coronary and 5.897 (27%) peripheral interventions, respectively. In 89 (73%) patients, FPA was successfully treated by ultrasound guided compression (USGC) alone.Thirty-three (28%) patients underwent open surgical repair. Indication for operative treatment was hemodynamic instability in 9 (7%) patients, rapidly expanding haematoma unsuitable for USGC or after unsuccessful USGC in 23 (19%). One (0.8%) patient had an arterio-venous fistula. Intraoperative findings suggest that atypical endovascular access (e.g. deep femoral artery, lateral or medial puncture) and multiple puncture sites and/or laceration of the vessel wall were related to the need for surgery in 22 (67%) cases. Most patients had active antithrombotic therapy. Gender or the nature of procedure (diagnostic vs. intervention) did not increase risk for open repair. One (0.8%) patient died. No amputations were performed. Mean hospital stay of patients undergoing open surgical repair was 11 (range 4-36) days.

Technical puncture problems were identified in 2/3 of patients requiring open surgery.