Interarterial Pseudoaneurysm: A Potential Nightmare

Abstract

Femoral artery pseudoaneurysm (FAP) is one of the most troublesome complications related to femoral artery access site after cardiovascular catheterization procedures and occurs in 0.8%–2.2% of the cases of cardiovascular interventional procedures. Management is by ultrasound-guided compression repair (UGCR). A 75-year-old male presented with anterior wall ST-elevation myocardial infarction and after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, developed FAP. This pseudoaneurysm had an interarterial communication between superficial femoral artery and deep femoral artery. It is unusual to have communication of pseudoaneurysm with two branches of femoral artery. Diagnosis was made using vascular sonography and Doppler study. Closure of this aneurysm was done by simple pressure with Doppler probe at both the narrow ends of the aneurysm. Arterial color Doppler is the mainstay for diagnosing FAPs. This case describes an interarterial pseudoaneurysm which is a rare entity to witness and the different modalities for its management, the most common one being UGCR.