The Hidden Complication of Cardiac Catheterization: Iatrogenic AVF Explained
Iatrogenic Arteriovenous Fistula After Femoral Access: The CTA Findings Every Radiologist Must Recognize Introduction A 65-year-old man presented with persistent right groin pain. At first glance, the symptom appeared nonspecific. However, recent cardiovascular intervention dramatically altered the differential diagnosis. The patient had undergone a heart transplant and subsequently an endomyocardial biopsy requiring femoral vascular access. Shortly afterward, groin pain developed. CTA was performed to investigate possible vascular complications. This scenario represents a growing challenge in modern medicine. As the number of catheter-based cardiovascular procedures continues to increase worldwide, radiologists are increasingly encountering access-site complications, including: Hematoma Pseudoaneurysm Arterial dissection Active hemorrhage Arteriovenous fistula Among these, iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) remains uncommon but clinically important because delayed diagnosis may le...