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

• A. Hematoma
• B. Kidney failure
• C. Stroke
• D. Hypotension

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that vascular access during cardiac catheterization directly exposes the puncture site to bleeding, making hematoma the most common complication. When a catheter is threaded into a vessel, anticoagulation and the physical breach of the vessel wall can cause blood to collect in surrounding tissue. This is especially likely with femoral access and larger sheaths, though it can occur with radial access as well. A hematoma can appear as localized swelling, tenderness, and bruising; if it enlarges, it may cause pain, compression of nearby structures, or even become a more serious issue like a retroperitoneal bleed in the groin region. Clinically, this is often the first complication you’ll see and is frequently managed with careful pressure, compression devices, and, if needed, vascular closure techniques.

While other complications such as stroke, contrast-induced kidney injury, or hypotension are recognized risks of the procedure, they are not as directly tied to the access site and are less common than a hematoma after catheterization.