Traumatic & Iatrogenic Injuries
Learn about diagnosis and treatment of traumatic and iatrogenic injuries.
ABOUT TRAUMATIC AND IATROGENIC INJURIES
Traumatic and iatrogenic injuries are both caused by external forces acting on the body. An iatrogenic injury is specifically one that is inadvertently induced by a physician or surgeon, or by medical treatment or diagnostic procedures. Both types of injuries can affect any part of the body, but when it involves a blood vessel it may require an open or endovascular repair by a vascular surgeon.
Examples of traumatic vascular injury:
- Automobile accidents — may cause aortic dissection
- Taking a bad fall/broken bones — may cause blood clots
- The insertion of PIC line or central catheter — may cause blood clots
- Gunshot or knife wounds — can cause major damage to both arteries and veins
Examples of iatrogenic vascular injury:
- Popliteal artery damage during a knee replacement
- Pseudoaneurysm at access site from heart catheterization or other endovascular procedures
- Trocar injury to major abdominal blood vessels during laparoscopic surgery
- Any type of vessel disruption during surgery
DIAGNOSING TRAUMATIC AND IATROGENIC INJURIES
When it comes to traumatic and iatrogenic injury, rapid diagnosis of blood vessel involvement is critical to mitigate permanent damage or prevent death. Speedy evaluation and diagnosis is particularly important when an artery is involved due to the increased potential for rapid blood loss.
It is important to note that vascular surgeons are uniquely qualified to diagnose and repair traumatic and iatrogenic vascular injuries. Therefore, the timely involvement of a vascular specialist in your patient care is highly recommended to improve long term outcomes.
There are a handful of exams and tests that can be used to diagnose traumatic and iatrogenic injuries:
- Physical & Neurological Examination
- Duplex ultrasound
- CTA or CTV
- MRA
- Arteriogram
- Blood tests
TREATING TRAUMATIC AND IATROGENIC INJURIES
Traumatic and iatrogenic injury treatment and repair should be performed by an experienced vascular surgeon. Doing so can greatly increase the chances for a successful recovery and decrease the likelihood of problems down the line. The type of treatment required will depend on the nature of the injury. Your vascular surgeon will decide whether it is best to perform open surgery, a minimally invasive endovascular procedure, or a combination of both.
ALL THINGS VASCULAR
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