Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) Practice Test

Which statement about pseudoaneurysms (PSA) is true?

1. PSA occurs when an arterial puncture does not seal

2. Blood is contained by the perivascular structure

3. Pulsatile blood tracks into the perivascular space

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

A pseudoaneurysm, also known as a false aneurysm, occurs when there is a disruption in the arterial wall, typically due to a puncture or injury, leading to blood leaking outside the vessel but being contained by the surrounding tissue or perivascular structure. The correct statement emphasizes that a pseudoaneurysm arises when an arterial puncture does not heal properly, allowing blood to escape the confines of the artery. The blood that escapes the vessel does not freely flow into the surrounding tissue but rather becomes encapsulated, creating a pulsatile mass within the perivascular space. This pulsatility is due to the pressure from the blood that continues to being pumped by the heart, resulting in pulsatile blood tracking into the space around the vessel. Since all these points are accurate descriptions of the condition, the answer includes all of them, affirming that each statement contributes to a comprehensive understanding of pseudoaneurysms. The presence of blood within the perivascular area, the nature of the arterial puncture, and the pulsatile nature of blood tracking into that area all illustrate the characteristics of a pseudoaneurysm effectively.