Which of the following is a potential complication of cardiac catheterization?

• A. Pseudoaneurysm
• B. MI
• C. Arrhythmia
• D. Leukocytosis

Answer: (A)

Complications after cardiac catheterization often involve the vascular access site. A pseudoaneurysm forms when the arterial wall is breached at the access site and blood tracks into surrounding tissue while maintaining a connection to the artery. This creates a pulsatile hematoma that can grow if not treated. It’s a classic, well-recognized vascular complication of arterial access and is most likely to occur with femoral or radial entry, especially with larger sheaths, inadequate hemostasis, or anticoagulation. Management is typically ultrasound-guided thrombin injection or compression, with surgery reserved for large or expanding cases.

Mi can occur if there’s coronary occlusion, severe spasm, or dissection during catheter manipulation, and arrhythmias can arise from catheter contact with the conduction system, but these are less common and not as specific to the access-site complication as a pseudoaneurysm. Leukocytosis is not a direct, expected complication of the procedure.