Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection for the treatment of iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysms

Objective: The aim of this study is to review our experience with percutaneous ultrasonography (USG) guided thrombin injection to treat iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysms and to assess the safety of the procedure. Material and Methods: From January 2007 to January 2011, 41 patients with iatrogenic femoral pseudoaneurysms, were included in the study. The medical records concerned the demographics, the pseudoaneurysm size and site, thrombin dose that was injected, efficacy and safety of the procedure and postintervenional follow-up for one year. Results: There were 39 (95.1%) patients, who were eligible to be included in the study. Twenty-four (61.5%) patients were male and 15 (38.5%) patients were female. The mean age was 72±11 years (49-88). All of the pseudoaneurysms were originated from the common femoral arteries. The mean maximum transverse diameter of the pseudoaneurysms was 3.7±1.1 cm (2 - 6.5 cm). The mean neck diameter was 5±1.1 mm (3-7.5 mm). After the first thrombin injection, complete thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm occured in 34 (87.1%) of the patients. A secondary thrombin injection was required in 5 (12.8%) patients. USG-guided thrombin injection failed in 2 (5.3%) patients. There was not any complications during the follow-up. Conclusion: USG-guided thrombin injection is an effective technique for the treatment of post-catheterisation pseudoaneurysms, which is easy to perform; safe, well tolerated and highly successful in good selected patients. Copyright © 2014 by Türkiye Klinikleri.