Vascular complications following cardiac catheterization at Jordan University Hospital

Objective: This study evaluates the rate of vascular complications following diagnostic cardiac catheterization and percutaneous intervention (PCI) at Jordan University Hospital. Methods: We reviewed the records of 1000 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac catheterization or PCI. Vascular complications including: minor hematoma > 5 cm in diameter, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula and major bleeding with a hemoglobin drop ≥3 gm/dl or bleeding requiring transfusion, limb ischemia and death related to the vascular complication. In addition, clinical variables associated with increased risk of vascular complications were recorded including age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, indication for the procedure, emergency vs. elective, and diagnostic catheterization vs. PCI. Results: 1000 consecutive cases (746 catheterization, and 256 PCI) that were performed in the period from January 1st to Aug 25th 2011 were evaluated. There were six (0.6%) complications: one major (bleeding; requiring blood transfusion) and five minor (3 hematomas and 2 pseudoaneurysms) . A higher vascular complication rate was recorded in certain groups, PCI versus diagnostic catheterization (1.9% vs. 0.1%, P=0.005), emergency versus elective procedures (6.8% vs. 0.3% P= 0.001), and myocardial infarction versus angina (4.3% vs. 0.2%, P= 0.002). None of the clinical variables studied in this series had an association with increased risk for vascular complications. Conclusion: Vascular complications rate following cardiac catheterization and PCI was comparable to other published series, suggesting that manual compression with proper monitoring by doctors and nurses continues to be a safe procedure. PCI, emergency procedures, and myocardial infarction carried a significantly higher vascular complication rate