Femoral Artery Ligation as Treatment for Infected Pseudo-Aneurysms, Secondary to Drug Injection

Abstract

Objective: Parenteral drug injection can cause a wide range of vascular complications, from simple vascular irritation to severe infections, thrombosis and pseudo-aneurysm formation. These latter complications may become limb-or even life-threatening.Patients and methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study of cases admitted to the Shohada Medical Centre, between March 1990 and June 2005.Results: A total of 134 drug addicts presenting with infected femoral artery pseudo-aneurysms were treated. All patients had their femoral arteries ligated. Limbs of all 134 patients were saved.Conclusions: Ligating the femoral artery is an effective way to treat femoral artery pseudo-aneurysm, secondary to drug abuse.