OBJECTIVE: This report aims to raise physician clinical awareness of radial artery pseudoaneurysm (RAP) and promote early recognition of this potentially serious complication. The article highlights various proposed treatment strategies in the management of this condition.

BACKGROUND: Radial artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare potentially serious complication following transradial artery coronary angiography for left heart catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention. Risk factors associated with the development of RAP include multiple arterial puncture attempts, use of systemic anticoagulation, inadequate hemostasis following post-procedural compression, vascular site infection, use of larger sheaths, female gender, age of 70 years and older, diabetes mellitus, obesity and/or patients with high body mass index.1-3 Conservative medical treatment and/or surgical repair are the primary therapeutic approaches in the management of RAP.

CONCLUSION: Transradial artery access is associated with a significantly lower risk of major bleeding and vascular access site complications, reduces morbidity and mortality compared with the transfemoral approach. It is important to recognize though that complications do still occur with the transradial approach. RAP is one such entity wherein prevention is key - with adequate post-procedural compression, frequent observation, and careful assessment of the radial access site.

Keywords: Coronary intervention, Pseudoaneurysm, Radial artery, Transradial  

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