Initial experience of removal of 10-French sheaths using the 8-French Angio-Seal vascular closure device.

OBJECTIVES

We studied the use of 8 Fr Angio-Seal in closure of access sites up to 10 Fr.

BACKGROUND

The use of larger French catheters for procedures such as valvuloplasty and percutaneous valve replacement has required the use of better methods for arterial closure. The use of 6 and 8 Fr Angio-Seal hemostatic devices (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, Minnesota) has been well described and are routinely used for diagnostic and interventional procedures up to 8 Fr in size. However, no data are available for the use of an 8 Fr Angio-Seal device in the closure of access sites up to 10 Fr.

METHODS

In our center, we evaluate the incidence of vascular complications following the use of an 8 Fr Angio-Seal device with 10 Fr sheaths in patients undergoing aortic valvuloplasty.

RESULTS

Of 53 procedures, there was only 1 vascular complication, a ruptured pseudoaneurysm, which required vascular repair.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that an 8 Fr Angio-Seal device can be utilized effectively and safely in procedures requiring larger access sites up to 10 Fr.