Optimizing safe femoral access during cardiac catheterization

This article describes the natural variability of femoral arterial anatomy as seen by angiography in a standard position. An analysis of 60 consecutive peripheral angiograms revealed data on average vessel diameter, variability in that diameter and the level of bifurcation of the common femoral artery into its two main branches. The statistical likelihood of optimal femoral arterial access through a standard dermotomy placed midway between, and 3 cm below, the imaginary line extending from the superior anterior iliac spine to the pubic symphysis was calculated. Our research disclosed average vessel diameters of 6.6 mm (3.9-8.9 mm), 5.2 mm (2.5-9.6 mm), and 4.9 mm (2.7-7.6 mm) for the common femoral artery, superficial femoral artery and deep femoral artery, respectively. The bifurcation of the common femoral artery into its branches averaged 5.5 mm below the inferior margin of the femoral head in most cases (76% of the time). In our laboratory, the average distance from the inferior border of the femoral head to our actual arteriotomy was 14.0 mm. Using our standard dermotomy, we achieved this favorable access position in 97% of cases.