Ultrasound-guided percutaneous thrombin injection for femoral artery pseudoaneurysms

We reviewed 13 cases of ultrasound-guided thrombin injection of femoral pse udoaneurysms. All cases occurred within a 17-month period from January 1998 through May 1999 and were complications of femoral artery puncture. Immedi ate total thrombosis occurred in nine of 13 patients. Twenty-four-hour foll ow-up ultrasound in seven patients revealed no recurrence of pseudoaneurysm . Two of 13 patients required operative repair. One pseudoaneurysm thrombos ed with 15 minutes of compression after injection and one case required a s econd injection. No cases of arterial thrombosis were noted. Ultrasound-gui ded thrombin injection for femoral artery pseudoaneurysm represents a safe and effective alternative to operative repair.