Bleeding complications following femoral angiographic access

Surgeons who are consulted late in the patient’s clinical course, prior to intervention, should document the patient’s poor prognosis and make it clear that no matter what is done the patient is unlikely to survive.

However, in most situations, the defense that a patient with ongoing bleeding was too unstable to treat is likely to fail.

Access site bleeding following percutaneous interventions is often a readily treatable complication. A low threshold for intervention, cooperation among vascular specialists, and, as always, clear documentation will go a long way to keep physicians working and out of the courtroom.

Dr. Brown is associate editor of Vascular Specialist. Dr. Samson is the medical editor, Vascular Specialist.

 The opinions expressed by the authors neither imply nor establish a standard 
of care.