Color duplex-guided compression therapy for postcatheterization pseudoaneurysms in a community hospital

Diagnostic or therapeutic arterial catheterization may be complicated by postcatheterization pseudoaneurysm. Pseudoaneurysms have generally been treated surgically, but more recently, encouraging results with duplex-guided compression therapy (DGCT) of pseudoaneurysms have been reported from university hospitals. We reviewed our experience with DGCT to assess the applicability of DGCT in a community hospital setting. Sixty-two patients presented with 63 symptomatic postcatheterization pseudoaneurysms between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 1993. Prior to October 28, 1991, all pseudoaneurysms were treated surgically. Subsequently we initiated DGCT as primary treatment for pseudoaneurysms, reserving surgery for DGCT failures and unstable patients. DGCT patients were indistinguishable from primary surgery patients, and the number of pseudoaneurysms treated did not appear to increase during the study period. DGCT was initially successful in 27 (75%) of 36 patients. Three pseudoaneurysms recurred, yielding cumulative success in 24 (67%) of 36 patients. Three of 12 DGCT failures were due to patient intolerance. DGCT was unsuccesful in three of four intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)-associated pseudoaneurysms. There was some variation in pseudoaneurysm volume between the successful and failed groups, and a trend toward failure with larger pseudoaneurysms was not significant (13 vs. 6 cm(3), p greater than or equal to 0.25). DGCT failure appears more likely in post-IABP pseudoaneurysms and possibly with larger pseudo- aneurysms. Anticoagulation, type of procedure (exclusive of IABP), obesity, and other patient characteristics examined did not appear to predict success or failure of DGCT. Treatment was reserved for symptomatic patients throughout the period of study and there was no evidence that patients were more likely to be treated for pseudoaneurysms after DGCT was initiated. We conclude that DGCT is usually successful and is appropriate primary treatment for all symptomatic postcatheterization pseudoaneurysms in stable patients.