Pseudoaneurysm

What is Pseudoaneurysm

Pseudoaneurysm happens when an artery is injured and blood leaks out to form a sac-like bulge. An aneurysm is a bulge in an artery. The bulge can break open, causing bleeding in the nearby tissues.

What are the causes?

The most common cause of this condition is a procedure such as an angiogram in which a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery. After an angiogram, the insertion site on the artery should close back up all the way. If it does not, blood may leak out of the artery.

Other causes of a pseudoaneurysm include:

  • Trauma to the walls of an artery, such as from a stabbing injury or a deep cut.
  • Bypass artery grafting surgery, which is a type of surgery that makes blood flow to the heart better.
  • An infection that affects the walls of an artery.
  • A heart attack (myocardial infarction).

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

  • Pain, soreness, or tenderness at the site of the pseudoaneurysm.
  • Swelling.
  • Bruising or a change in skin color.
  • A throbbing mass or lump at the site.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

  • Your symptoms.
  • A physical exam.
  • An imaging test called a Doppler ultrasound. This imaging test uses sound waves to show the blood flow in the arteries and the pseudoaneurysm.

How is this treated?

This condition may go away on its own without treatment. To help prevent bleeding that cannot be controlled, or to help prevent other problems, your health care provider may suggest one of these treatments:

  • Injecting a blood-clotting enzyme, such as thrombin, into the site.
  • Fixing the artery with surgery.
  • Putting pressure (compression) on the pseudoaneurysm.

Follow these instructions at home:

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • Your pain, soreness, or tenderness at the pseudoaneurysm site keeps getting worse.
  • You have swelling at the site.

Get help right away if:

  • You have severe or ongoing (persistent) pain at the site of the pseudoaneurysm.
  • There is bleeding or drainage from the site.
  • The part of your body where the pseudoaneurysm is located changes color or becomes painful, cold, or numb.
  • You have chest pain or shortness of breath.
  • You feel like you might faint or you faint.

Summary

  • An aneurysm is a bulge in an artery. A pseudoaneurysm happens when an artery is injured and blood leaks out to form a sac-like bulge.
  • The most common cause of this condition is a procedure such as an angiogram in which a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery.
  • This condition may go away on its own without treatment.
  • Get help right away if the part of your body where the pseudoaneurysm is located changes color or becomes painful, cold, or numb.
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