Current approaches to retroperitoneal hemorrhage: Too little, too late.

Retroperitoneal hemorrhage (RPH) arises in < 0.5% of patients undergoing percutaneous intervention, but is associated with high risks of morbidity and mortality. More than 50% of medical malpractice claims against interventional cardiologists are related to death and hemorrhage from vascular injury; delays in diagnosis and treatment are common. The current approach to RPH is characterized by "too little" to diagnose and "too late" to manage patients in extremis. Immediate CTA allows rapid diagnosis and triage to appropriate endovascular therapy, without delay.