VASCULAR PITFALLS IN INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY

Interventional radiologists use imaging guidance and anatomical knowle dge to avoid vascular structures when performing percutaneous procedur es. Although vascular complications of interventional radiologic proce dures are rare, with an incidence of 0.06 to 5%(1,2) arterial injury m ay result in significant patient morbidity or mortality. Hemorrhage ma y occur during or immediately following the procedure or, in the case of catheter placement, following catheter removal. Puncture of major v essels may occur because of poor technique or aberrant vascular anatom y. The most common cause of bleeding during interventional procedures is due to unavoidable local small vessel trauma involving the structur es undergoing needle puncture or catheter placement. Less common cause s of significant hemorrhage occurring during radiologic interventions are reviewed in this chapter.