Percutaneous suturing of femoral artery access sites after diagnostic cardiac catheterization or coronary intervention

Abstract

Summary. Perclose Inc. (Menlo Park, CA, USA) has developed suture devices (Prostarr`, Techstarr`) for percutaneous closure of arterial access sites from 5–9 F after diagnostic cardiac catheterization or coronary interventions. Tissue adaptation by placement of a vascular wall suture establishes immediate haemostasis. From 6 June 1995 to 31 January 1996, the percutaneous vascular wall suture system was used on 1030 patients. Successful closure of the suture was achieved in 923 patients (89.6%). Because of incomplete haemostasis, 107 patients (10.4%) were treated with a conventional compression bandage without any complications. Therefore a total of 923 (89.6%) out of 1030 patients were mobilized after a maximum of 4 h recovery in a lying position. The total complication rate was 0.78% (n = 8) and comprised three large haematomas (>5cm), three false aneurysms, one transfusion and one superficial infection. Therefore, percutaneous vascular sutures for closing arterial access sites are a safe and effective method to achieve immediate haemostasis. Further controlled studies are necessary to evaluate the safety of early mobilization.

Key Words:

• cardiac catheterization
• percutaneous vessel suture
• local vascular complications