Does the location of leg pain suggest the location of arterial stenosis? Leg pain usually occurs downstream from hemodynamically significant stenoses. For example, calf pain may result from disease of the superficial femoral artery, whereas thigh or buttock pain may be caused by iliac arterial disease.
What are the risk factors for PAD and claudication? Risk factors include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol levels, cigarette smoking, and advanced age. Claudication is also more likely in individuals who already have atherosclerosis in other arteries, such as the coronary or carotid arteries.
What are some complications unique to brachial access? There is a small risk of stroke associated with brachial access. The arm cannot tolerate large hematomas, and bleeding after removal of a catheter or sheath may result in a compartment syndrome. If a hematoma does develop, it must be followed up carefully to ensure that neurovascular …
If a brachial approach must be used is the right or left arm used? A left brachial approach is preferred. A catheter placed from the left arm passes the left vertebral artery origin but not that of the left common carotid artery; this may reduce the risk of stroke.
If the femoral artery cannot be accessed what are other options to obtain access for an arteriogram? Multiple options for access may exist in any given patient. The appropriate access site depends on the patient’s symptoms, intended procedure, prior surgical history, known sites of arterial occlusion, and clinical setting. A brachial artery approach may be …
What is the appropriate landmark for a femoral artery puncture? Some risks of arteriography can be minimized by properly selecting the puncture site. Above the inguinal canal, the common femoral artery becomes the external iliac artery and dives posteriorly. Punctures above the inguinal canal may be problematic for several reasons. Because the artery is deep …
Appropriate landmark for a femoral artery puncture Read More »
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) What are typical symptoms of uterine fibroids? Symptoms can be diverse bur may include menorrhagia (abnormal bleeding with menses), dysmenorrhea (painful menses), and bulk symptoms such as pain and pressure. Other symptoms include infertility, urinary urgency and incontinence, and constipation. What clinical workup is required before undergoing uterine fibroid embolization (UFE)? …