ORIGINAL ARTICLE: RISK OF HEMATOMA AFTER FEMORAL ARTERY PUNCTURES IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING DIAGNOSTIC OR INTERVENTIONAL ANGIOGRAPHY

Abstract

Local hematoma formation and bleeding have long been recognized and accepted as a frequent complication following trans-femoral puncture.1,2 The risks of invasive diagnostic techniques are placed under greater scrutiny today with the development and improvement of non invasive techniques such as CT angiography and MR angiography.3 Since the introduction of digital subtraction angiography to routine clinical practice, various studies have been performed to determine complications and their frequency related to this procedure.4,5 Furthermore, many interventional procedures are being conducted on an outpatient basis, reflecting limited inpatient bed availability.