Noninvasive Treatment Approach of Radial Pseudoaneurysm

Transradial approach for cardiac catheterization is a viable alternative to transfemoral approach given its ease of access, lessened complication risk, and post procedural comfort for patients. Radial pseudoaneurysm presents as a rare complication in less than 1% of these procedures. The use of external compression banding is an approach that shows promise as a noninvasive attempt towards resolving this complication. However, it has been documented in very few reports. We describe a case of an 82-year-old woman who underwent transradial approach to cardiac catheterization, and developed a radial pseudoaneurysm following the procedure as confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography. We used compressive banding as a technique to attempt to resolve this radial pseudoaneurysm. Following a strict protocol of pneumatic banding, repeat ultrasonography revealed complete resolution of radial pseudoaneurysm. This case highlights a potentially noninvasive technique that could serve as a first-line approach towards resolving this rare phenomenon.