In a series of ≈ 10,000 patients followed after femoral artery catheterization ¹⁾ (e.g. for coronary angiography or angioplasty), neuropathy occurred in 0.2% (with an estimated range in the literature up to ≈ 3%). Risk factors identified include patients developing retroperitoneal hematomas or pseudoaneurysms after the procedure, procedures requiring larger introducer sheaths (e.g. angioplasty & stent placement > diagnostic catheterization), excessive anticoagulation (PTT > 90 for at least 12 hours).

Excruciating pain after the catheterization procedure often preceded the development or recognition of neuropathy.