The frequency of complications of pseudoaneurysms after cardiac interventional diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Pseudo aneurysms as complications are a major source of morbidity after cardiac catheterization. Their incidence varies in the literature due to different definitions, methods of interrogation and presence of certain complications. We found in the literature that post-catheterization lesions occur in approximately 0.05% of treated patients after diagnostic catheterization and up to 1.2% after more complex procedures. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence of pseudo aneurysm after cardiac catheterization using the physical findings and color Doppler ultrasound. In the study, which encompasses the period of 2009-2010, there were 400 coronary angiography with trans femoral catheterization. After compression hemostasis was carried out, each patient was checked after 24 hours and again after 48 hours. Diagnostic coronary angiography was made in 400 patients (100%), out of which, 110 patients (27,5%) had a percutaneous coronary intervention with stent placement (PCI), Color Doppler ultrasound of femoral artery was normal in 384 (96.3%), local hematoma was found in 360 (90%), pseudo aneurysm in 14 (3.7%), AV fistula in 1 (0.25%) and dissection of the femoral artery in 1 (0.25%) patient. Complications in 16 patients were treated surgically, in 7 patients they were treated conservatively and in 1 case thrombin was applied within pseudo aneurism. Patients with complications were more often present with concomitant use of anticoagulant and anti platelet tablets than patients without complications (P = 0.003). Prevention of post catheterization pseudo aneurysm can be achieved by proper puncture technique, choosing the right place and right post interventional hemostatic compression with or without external devices. Special attention should be paid to the use of anti platelet drugs and anticoagulant and combinations thereof.