Infected venous pseudoaneurysm. A complication of drug addiction
J. E. Johnson, C. E. Lucas, A. M. Ledgerwood and L. A. Jacobs
There has been an increase in the incidence of major vascular complications
of intravenous drug addiction. We studied five patients who had infected
venous pseudoaneurysms of the femoral vein. Patients may have cryptic
sepsis or an infected hematoma from venous rupture. The vein containing pus
may drain through a venipuncture site. Treatment is complete excision of
the involved vein with packing of the wound. Complications due to septic
embolization or metastatic infection from septicemia are common. Venous
reconstruction is unwarranted.