Duplex-guided compression of femoral artery false aneurysms reduces the need for surgery.

In a 1-year period, 13 patients underwent duplex-guided compression (DGC) of femoral artery false aneurysms. Of the 13 false aneurysms, 11 arose after cardiac catheterisation, and DGC was successful in 10 (77%) cases. The number of percutaneous cardiological procedures has risen over the past 5 years, and with time a greater proportion of these procedures have become more complex, involving coronary angioplasty or coronary stenting. The rate of vascular complications has risen from 0.2% in 1991-1992 to 0.61% in 1994-1995. Duplex-guided compression has reduced the number of operations performed for the vascular complications of percutaneous cardiological procedures by 50%. No complications have arisen from DGC, and it is recommended as the first line of management for femoral artery false aneurysms after percutaneous cardiological procedures.