Femoral artery pseudoaneurysm after carotid artery stenting: Two case reports

RATIONALE: Pseudoaneurysm, the most common complication of femoral artery catheterization, involves the formation of a space between the lumen and the surrounding fibrous tissue through the damaged arterial wall. In patients treated with antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents, the incidence of vascular complications increases with the increasing use of minimally invasive procedures. PATIENT CONCERNS: We experienced 2 cases of procedure-induced pseudoaneurysms. A 79-year-old man with right hemiparesis visited our hospital. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed acute left middle cerebral artery territory infarction and severe stenosis of the left proximal carotid artery. The patient was prescribed apixaban and underwent carotid stenting through the right femoral artery. Hematoma and tenderness were observed in the right inguinal region after the procedure. The hemoglobin level decreased from 16.9 g/dL to 9.4 g/dL. Another 78-year-old man with left common carotid artery stenosis was admitted. We performed stent implantation through the right femoral artery and administered aspirin and clopidogrel. After the procedure, hematoma and tenderness of the puncture site were observed. The hemoglobin level decreased from 14.5 g/dL to 10.9 g/dL. DIAGNOSIS: Emergency computed tomography confirmed a pseudoaneurysm with a massive hematoma in the right inguinal area. The patients were diagnosed with infection-associated right pseudoaneurysm for which an emergency puncture site repair was performed. INTERVENTIONS: We performed resection of pseudoaneurysm and repaired puncture site. OUTCOMES: The hemoglobin level was stabilized postoperatively and vital sign remained stable. LESSONS: Pseudoaneurysm is an important complication of femoral artery puncture. The use of a hemostatic device was not superior to manual compression, and the incidence of this complication was significantly higher in patients who received anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents. A pseudoaneurysm may cause a bad prognosis. Therefore, the early detection of pseudoaneurysm and immediate treatment after femoral arterial puncture are needed.