Dangers during an angiogram

[SUMMER50]

My husband recently went an angioplasty.  During the procedure, his femorial artery was punctured causing a pseudoaneurysm, which then caused a blood clot to form on the outside of the artery wall.  This resulted in them going back in to do a thrombosis injection.  Because of the where the puncture was located, they had to actually operate on my husband. He has a 7 inch incision in his groin area. They had to drain the blood clot and repair the artery.  My question is, what could have caused the puncture?  We aren't getting very clear answers and I am concerned that his Dr. is trying to cover up something. Also, could there be any long time effects from having the punctured artery.  

[ed34]

I think you are possibly talking about a pseudoaneurysm. This is when blood collects outside the artery rather than inside, the type usually associated with a puncture. If small enough the Doctor may just apply pressure to release the pressure. They can also use clotting agents, injected into the area. If the area affected cannot be controlled, they may revert to surgery to repair the artery. In all cases, the artery will make a full recovery and not be weaker. The key is that the problem is discovered and treated. Punctures are not common but can easily happen, and not just in the femoral artery. I had a puncture to my left coronary artery for example.

[bolisa]

I am talking about a puncture through the artery wall while threading the catheter through. The doctor did not mention the seal. I know there are risks with an angiogram, but I am still concerned about the glue they are going to inject to repair the artery, will  it will hold ?  I hate the idea of him having to go through another angiogram to have the glue injected. I wish it would have been done when they went back in to find the problem. I am also concerned about the final outcome Will the artery be weak?    

Thanks for your response

[ed34]

With or without an angioseal there is a risk of aneurysm, and sometimes it require surgery to rectify. There is a risk because the femoral is considered, rightly so, as a major artery. Every precaution pre-op form I've filled out has mentioned this.

[bolisa]

My husband had the same procedure done 9 days ago. He has the same complication as your husband had. He is in the hospital right now. They went back in his other leg (the left groin) this morning to have a better look. They had thought the vain lying alongside of the arery might have been punctured also. Good news it is only(as they put it) the artery involved. I am very concerned. He is just lying there with aneurysm!! The doctor is going to inject some kind of glue? in the aneurysm tomorrow. Because he had so much pain in his groin after having the first procedure, I did not want them to go in his other side but they did anyway. I don't know what the outcome will be. I am worried if his artery will be weak and if it will heal properly. How is your husband? Did he have a good outcome?

[erijon]

Don't really know how the doctor can cover something like this up, pretty obvious there was a complication. I don't know if the doctor is liable for action as I'm sure the risks were explained and a release was signed. I know there is about a 3% risk for these procedures, it does happen. I am sorry for the issues your husband is dealing with, that must be a miserable experience.