Percutaneous thrombin injection for treatment of iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysms: a case for caution

Angiology. 2008 Jun-Jul;59(3):372-5. doi: 10.1177/0003319707304575. Epub 2008 Apr 2.

Abstract

The case of a patient who developed a femoral artery pseudoaneurysm following cardiac catheterization is described. After 2 failed attempts of ultrasound-guided compression repair, the patient underwent percutaneous thrombin injection with, beside of complete closure of the pseudoaneurysm, a severe limb ischemia due to distal thrombin migration with consecutive clot formation finally resulting in thigh amputation of the affected leg. Indications, advantages, and disadvantages of various options for the treatment of iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysms (vascular surgery, ultrasound-guided compression, percutaneous thrombin injection, and other nonsurgical treatment modalities), as well as risk factors for distal migration of liquid thrombin after percutaneous injection, are discussed in this report.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amputation, Surgical
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnostic imaging
  • Aneurysm, False / drug therapy*
  • Aneurysm, False / etiology
  • Cardiac Catheterization / adverse effects*
  • Femoral Artery* / diagnostic imaging
  • Hemostatics / administration & dosage
  • Hemostatics / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Iatrogenic Disease*
  • Injections, Intra-Arterial
  • Ischemia / chemically induced*
  • Ischemia / diagnostic imaging
  • Ischemia / surgery
  • Leg / blood supply*
  • Male
  • Patient Selection
  • Radiography
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Thrombin / administration & dosage
  • Thrombin / adverse effects*
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Hemostatics
  • Thrombin