MEDICOLEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF VASCULAR PUNC TURES, CATHETERISMS AND DIAGNOSTIC THERAPEUTIC RADIOLOGICAL INVASIVE PROCEDURES/

Whatever the aim of the procedure, puncture of a vessel can lead to lo cal complications. Access to the artery carries a risk of hemorrhage, occlusion, stenosis, arteriovenous fistulization or pseudo-aneurysm. T he same types of complications can occur in veins. Other complications include skin necrosis due to extravasation of the contrast medium, pe rforation of the superior vena cava after insertion of an infusion cat heter and the risk of pericardial effusion. General complications occu r immediately, usually caused by contrast media, or late. There are di fferent examples of secondary legal procedures following punctures inv olving, with the exception of radiology cases, intraarterial injection at the elbow, perforation of the right atrium by a jugular catheter a nd acute ischemia of the foot after catheterism of the pedial artery. Legal procedures after radiological procedures were discussed in more detail. The personal experience of the authors and others concerns acc idents occurring after arteriography, angioplasty or embolization. Fin ally, two legal cases after treatment for impotency are analyzed. We f ocus on a certain number of rules on patient information, preangiograp hy consultation, participation of an anesthetist, careful post-operati ve follow-up and operation report. Finally, the possibility of radiati on-induced arteriopathy is demonstrated by one case reported here.