Background: A pseudoaneurysm is a false aneurysm caused by damage to arterial wall. Radial pseudoaneurysms are a rare complication following cardiac catheterisation occurring in 0.009% of cases (Kingunattan and Ganesh, 2018) (Rodríguez-Olivares et al., 2014).
Methods: We present a case of a radial pseudoaneurysm post coronary angiography in a 75-year-old lady who was admitted with worsening dyspnoea on minimal exertion on a background of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction of 35%, atrial fibrillation and aortic stenosis. As part of her work up for aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass, a coronary angiogram was performed. Post angiogram she developed compartment syndrome of her right arm and hand.
Results: Colour flow duplex imaging revealed a bilobed pseudoaneurysm at the volar aspect of the distal radial artery, measuring 1.0 cm × 2.0 cm × 1.6 cm, with the neck measuring approximately 0.4 cm. Following this, we were contacted, and performed an open repair of the pseudoaneurysm under axillary nerve block. She had good postoperative result with an uneventful recovery.
Conclusions: A pseudoaneurysm of the radial artery is a rare entity. The transradial approach for percutaneous cardiac intervention has been associated with less complications and shorter hospital stays compared to transfemoral approach (Eichhöfer et al, 2008). However, as the transradial approach becomes the more popular, this will increase the incidence of radial pseudoaneurysms. Therefore, we need to increase our awareness of this complication as it may require surgical intervention.
