Incidence and clinical outcome of iatrogenic femoral arteriovenous fistulas: implications for risk stratification and treatment.

Objectives: We sought to determine the incidence of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF), identify risk factors for AVF, and follow up the clinical outcome of femoral AVF.

Background: Arteriovenous fistulas are a potential harmful complication of cardiac catheterization. Incidence and clinical outcome of iatrogenic AVF are unknown so far, although important for risk stratification and treatment.