Medicolegal implications of radial and femoral access for coronary angiography and intervention in 2016: Focus on retroperitoneal hemorrhage

Abstract

Abstract Background and Objectives Retroperitoneal hemorrhage is a rare but serious complication of transfemoral approach (TFA) and TFA percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Radial approach for coronary angiography and intervention (transradial approach, TRA) is associated with lower access site complications and reduced blood transfusion rates. Retroperitoneal bleeding has not been described with TRA. This study sought to evaluate the relationship between femoral access for coronary angiography (TFA) and PCI-induced retroperitoneal hemorrhage and the resulting medical litigation in the United States. Methods From 342 lawsuit claim records identified in LexisNexis database search, 17 cases of TFA and TFAPCI-related retroperitoneal hemorrhage decided between 1995 and 2015 were included in the study. Claims were thoroughly reviewed and information about the date the case was decided, patient outcome, the plaintiff, the defendant, the claim, and the trial outcome were extracted. Results The most common filled claim was medical malpractice (53% of the cases), followed by wrongful death (18%) and review of the Commissioner's decision to deny the application for supplemental security income (12%). Forty-seven percent of the cases were won by the defense, 29% by the plaintiff, and 24% were remanded for a new trial. In 82% of the cases, physicians were sued, but only 14% of the cases were won by the plaintiff. In 59% of the claims, the patient died; however, 70% of those cases were decided in favor of the defending physician and hospital. Conclusion Retroperitoneal hemorrhage is an uncommon complication of TFA and TFA PCI and is associated with high mortality rates. Physicians should able to identify this complication early and address it in a timely manner based on the applicable standard of care. TRA and TRA PCI is a reliable alternative and may potentially reduce medicolegal liability related to access site choice.