Current treatment options of femoral pseudoaneurysms

Abstract

Femoral pseudoaneurysm (PA) is a common complication that occurs in up to 6% of diagnostic or therapeutic catheterisation. Spontaneous closure is the rule for small PA. Large and complex PA need treatment to prevent complications such as diffuse hemodynamically effective bleeding or embolisation. A manual compression repair with or without ultrasound (US) guidance remains the first line treatment. A surgical approach is indicated in selected cases and requires anaesthesia, wound healing, longer hospital stay and extensive costs. New therapies have emerged recently that are non invasive and appropriate to most patients, even in critically ill patients. We here review the non-surgical treatment options that include compression therapy, endoprosthesis placement, coil embolisation, percutaneous collagen and thrombin injection.