Ultrasound guided percutaneous thrombin injection for treatment of a pseudoaneurysm after inguinal or brachial catheterization; good results in 14 patients

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of percutaneous ultrasound guided thrombin injection for treatment of postcatheterization pseudoaneurysms. DESIGN: Prospective. METHOD: In the period 1 April 1999-30 June 2000, all patients with postcatheterization pseudoaneurysms were included and primarily treated with ultrasound guided percutaneous thrombin injection. Under ultrasound guidance a 22 gauge needle was percutaneously positioned within the pseudoaneurysm and a thrombin solution was slowly injected to induce thrombosis. Distal pulses and ankle-brachial indexes were measured before and after the procedure. Colour Doppler ultrasound examination was repeated after 1 day, 1 week and 6 weeks. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were included: 6 men and 8 women, age range 50-79 year (mean: 66 year). Thirteen of 14 pseudoaneurysms, 12 femoral and 2 brachial pseudoaneurysms, were successfully treated with thrombin injection. Twelve pseudoaneurysms thrombosed after 1 injection. Because of recurrence 2 patients needed a second injection. One patient developed a recurrence after 2 injections and was referred for surgical treatment. Doses of thrombin needed varied between 150-1000 units. The whole procedure took 15 minutes on average. One patient developed a superficial infection 2 weeks after treatment at the site of the thrombosed pseudoaneurysm which needed incision and drainage in the outpatient department. No thromboembolic complications were found. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous thrombin injection appears to be an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of postcatheterization pseudoaneurysms.