Pseudoaneurysms Developing as a Complication of Catheterization

Pseudoaneurysms which were either of traumatic or mycotic origin in the past, have been observed frequently as iatrogenic origin because of widespread use of catheterizations. They are considered as unstable lesions since they can lead to many different complications. In the Cardiovascular Surgery Department of Ankara University Medical School, 27 pseudoaneurysms cases as a complication of catheterization underwent surgical intervention between June 1985 to June 1995. Primary repair was performed to all patients and patency of the arterial system was achieved. No operative mortality was recorded. The most frequent postoperative complications were hematoma and seroma which were seen in 5 patients. Although different treatment methods have been suggested and spontaneous thrombosis may occur in pseudoneurysms, we suggest that surgical intervention should be preferred since these are unstable lesion and surgical intervention can be performed with low mortality and morbidity.