Closing the Loop: The Role of Audit in Reducing Groin Complications Associated with Coronary Angiography

Abstract BACKGROUND: Local vascular complications of coronary angiography present a significant but often ignored clinical problem. This audit was performed because of a perception that the number of false aneurysms requiring surgical repair was increasing. STANDARD: An acceptable incidence of false aneurysm was derived from series in which ultrasound examinations were only performed if a false aneurysm was suspected (0.06–0.7%). The success rate of ultrasound (US) directed compression ranged from 50% to 93%. ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL PRACTICE: Data were retrieved from cardiology, radiology and vascular surgery databases in addition to case note review. The incidence of false aneurysm was significantly higher than that of historical control groups from the authors' institution (1.5% vs 0.5%, P P McCleary, A. J. and Raptis, S. (2001) Clinical Radiology 56 , 917–921.