Changes in the demographics of intravenous drug users with mycotic common femoral artery pseudoaneurysm as a consequence of self-injection does not influence outcome following emergency ligation

ObjectivesThe reported annual incidence of mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the common femoral artery in intravenous drug users has been estimated at 0.03%. Over the past 5 years in Scotland, the proportion of people receiving specialist attention for heroin use over the age of 40 years has increased from 15 to 22%. Although routinely managed with arterial ligation (without reconstruction), some series have reported rates of major limb amputation of up to 10%. We sought to define whether this management strategy was still acceptable in an older population.MethodsRetrospective review of patients presenting to a tertiary vascular service with mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the common femoral artery due to arterial injection by intravenous drug users between October 2010 and March 2016. Variables of interest included patient demographics and requirement for major amputation.ResultsThere were 55 patients identified. The annual incidence of mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the common femoral artery in intravenous drug users was ...