Correlates and outcomes of retroperitoneal hemorrhage complicating percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND : Retroperitoneal hemorrhage (RPH) is an infrequent but occasionally fatal complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Therefore, it has been studied in relatively small numbers of patients. METHODS : Prospectively collected data on 28,378 consecutive patients treated between 1992 and 2003 were examined, supplemented by a date‐based case control cohort study (76 RPH and 76 non‐RPH patients) to examine elements not routinely recorded prospectively. Independent correlates of RPH were determined using logistical regression analysis. RESULTS : One hundred sixty‐three patients (0.57%) developed RPH; of these 73.5% required blood transfusions and 10.4% expired during hospitalization ( P < 0.001 for both compared with patients without RPH). RPH was independently associated with femoral artery sheath placement superior to the inferior epigastric artery ( P < 0.001), female sex ( P < 0.001), use of Angioseal™ Device ( P < 0.001), glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor use ( P = 0.001), and patient presentation with the acute myocardial infarction ( P = 0.035), and was inversely related to patient weight ( P = 0.014). Of the 17 patient deaths, 6 were directly related to RPH, 2 of which occurred in association with delays in resuscitation efforts consequent to attempts to obtain diagnostic confirmation with CT imaging. CONCLUSIONS : RPH remains an infrequent but serious complication of PCI. Appropriate management of the femoral access site and the patient once this complication is suspected may minimize adverse outcomes. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.