Surgical treatment of femoral pseudoaneurysm following cardiac catheterization

Over a period of 8 years, 31 femoral pseudoaneurysms following cardiac catheterization were surgically repaired in 15 men and 15 women ranging in age from 38 to 89 (mean 68.1) years. The catheterizations were performed for evaluation of coronary artery disease in 23 patients (77%), valvular heart disease in three (10%), both coronary artery disease and valvular disease in two (7%) and for other reasons in two (7%). Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed in eight patients (27%) and aortic valvuloplasty in one (3%). Surgical repair was performed from 1 to 47 (mean 10.2) days after catheterization under local anesthesia in 16 patients (52%). regional anesthesia in ten (32%) and general anesthesia in five (16%). All lesions were repaired by primary suture. The operating time ranged from 25 to 90 (mean 50.5) min and intraoperative blood loss from 50 to 900 (mean 259.2) ml. There were no operative deaths and one postoperative myocardial infarction. No patients have developed recurrent pseudoaneurysm, with follow-up ranging from 1 to 53 (mean 11.4) months. These results demonstrate that the surgical repair of femoral pseudoaneurysm following cardiac catheterization is safe, effective and durable.