Giant iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm of the brachial artery: A case report

Pseudoaneurysms are a pulsatile hematoma caused by hemorrhage on soft tissues. It is an uncommon condition with many different etiologies. We report a case of a giant pseudoaneurysm caused by iatrogenic injury on the brachial artery.

A 42 year-old male was submitted to our Vascular Surgery service with an enlargement of the right upper limb and a history of myocardial infarction. 60days before the patient reached our service, he was submitted to a cardiac catheterization performed by another medical team, since the catheter was placed on the right brachial artery near the cubital fossa, we suspected an iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm, which was confirmed by his clinical history and physical exam. It was opted to treat the pseudoaneurysm with an implant of polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis. There were no complications whatsoever and the patient was discharged.

Pseudoaneurysms are more common after interventional procedures than diagnostic procedures, although brachial artery pseudoaneurysms are rare. Complications of pseudoaneurysms can cause serious threat to the afflicted limb and the patient's life. The management of any pseudoaneurysm is dependent on its size, location and pathogenesis.

Pseudoaneurysms develop slowly and should be diagnosed as early as possible in order to avoid complications and a better outcome. Due to an increase in recent endovascular procedures and the fact that brachial artery puncture is being performed more routinely, incidence of brachial artery pseudoaneurysms among overall population may rise.