Compression repair of femoral post-catheterisation pseudoaneurysms guided by colour Doppler flow imaging

Abstract

Sixty femoral pseudoaneurysms were identified by colour Doppler flow imaging over a period of 27 months. One group (n = 42) was treated immediately by ultrasound-guided compression repair (UGCR). In the remaining 18 pseduaneurysms a conservative theraphy attempt, which was successful in 9 patients within 1 week, preceded UGCR. Unsuccessful conservative theraphy did not prejudice the feasibility and outcome of UGCR. the success rate (50 of 51 UGCR) was higher than that reported in the literature, but was at the expense of a longer compression time.Multiple parameters were correlated with the compression time. A significant correlation was found with the size of the perfused lumen in the pseudoaneurysm and with the diameter, lenght and shape of the aneurysm neck. Follow-up at 24 h and 1 week after UGCR revealed 1 thrombotic complication and 4 partial recurrences. Within 1 week there was a significant decrease in the size of the (then thrombosed) pseudoaneurysms.