PCI complications: access site complications

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Overview

Vascular access site complications are common during cardiac catheterization and PCI, and local bleeding (a local hematoma formation) is the most common one. A thoughtful and systematic approach to the catheterization procedure decreases problems of access.

Access Site Complications

An old cathlab saying, Take time to evaluate and do it right the first time, should always be remembered.

Complications for vascular access can be divided into acute (during the insertion period or shortly after) or long term. Operators should have a thorough knowledge of the anatomy and of the potential complications from the procedure to identify and quickly treat any complications that may arise. Access through synthetic peripheral vascular grafts should be avoided if possible.

The femoral artery approach is the most frequent site of vascular access during invasive cardiac procedures. Possible vascular access routes are as follow:

Arterial

Axillary
Brachial
Femoral
Radial (rarely used for cardiac catheterization, more common for diagnostic angiographies and percutaneous interventions)
Subclavian (not used for cardiac catheterization)
Translumbar (not used for cardiac catheterization)

Venous

Patients at High Risk for Access Site Complications

Obesity
Patients with high blood pressure
Elderly
Female gender
Patients with aortic insufficiency
Patients who undergone prior puncture
Patients with advanced peripheral arteriosclerosis
Patients who suffer from coagulopathy or those taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents
Patients with excessive edema

Possible Complications

Local tissue trauma or damage (e.g., bleeding into surrounding tissues, nerve injury)
Vascular damage (e.g., perforation, dissection)
AV fistula: If the femoral artery and the vein are both used, arterial sheath should be removed first and then the venous one to decrease risk of arteriovenous fistula formation.
Infection and sepsis: After hemostasis is obtained the access area should be cleaned with antiseptic solution.
Aberrant catheter placement

Complication during subclavian vein cannulation. Copyleft image courtesy of C. Michael Gibson.
Normal anatomic position of subclavian vein
Complication during right femoral artery puncture. Copyleft image courtesy of C. Michael Gibson.

Complication during right femoral artery puncture. Copyleft image courtesy of C. Michael Gibson.
Complication of pulling out when there was resistance in a stent graft system. Part of right iliac and femoral arteries stripped with stent graft system from right femoral artery puncture site. Copyleft image courtesy of C. Michael Gibson.
Higher Level puncture of femoral artery and cannula kinking. Copyleft image courtesy of C. Michael Gibson.