VASCULAR COMPLICATIONS OF CARDIAC-CATHETERIZATION

Peripheral vascular complications after cardiac catheterization consti tute an increasing portion of traumatic vascular injuries. To determin e the incidence of these complications and the sequelae of their treat ment, we reviewed 7,690 catheterizations performed over a 40-month per iod. One hundred eleven vascular complications were detected (1%), 41 of which required surgical repair (0.5%). Pseudoaneurysm (10), arterio venous fistula (4), thromboembolism (9), infection (5), and other blee ding complications (83) were all found. Significantly more complicatio ns occurred in patients who were older than 60 years of age or female (P <0.0009). In addition, the likelihood of a vascular injury after co ronary angioplasty was significantly higher than after angiography alo ne (3% versus 1%, P <0.00001). Secondary local and systemic complicati ons after surgical repair were more frequent compared with those injur ies that were managed nonoperatively (32% versus 11%; P = 0.015). Vasc ular complications continue to be a significant problem after cardiac catheterization, especially when coronary angioplasty is performed. Th e sequelae of surgical repair are significant, adding to their morbidi ty. Periodic review of these complications may identify factors that m ight be modified to reduce complications.