Collagen plug-based vascular closure devices do not decrease vascular and bleeding complications occurring after balloon aortic valvuloplasty.

BACKGROUND

The benefits of vascular closure devices (VCDs) in the prevention of vascular complications after femoral intervention remain controversial.

AIM

To evaluate the efficiency of collagen plug-based VCDs in the prevention of femoral access complications after balloon aortic valvuloplasty.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent balloon aortic valvuloplasty by femoral retrograde technique in our centre between 2009 and 2012. Group 1 included 75 patients in whom femoral puncture haemostasis was obtained with the use of an 8F collagen plug-based VCD (Angio-Seal™; Saint-Jude Medical, Inc.); group 2 included 105 patients who had manual or mechanical groin compression (FemoStop™; RADI Medical Systems, Inc.). We did not use heparin during the procedure. We collected data on major in-hospital adverse events, major bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium classification≥3) and vascular access complications.

RESULTS

We included 180 patients with severe and symptomatic aortic stenosis. Indications for valvuloplasty were mainly bridge to transcatheter aortic valve implantation or palliative therapy (72%). The groups were similar in terms of median age, lower limb artery disease and body mass index. Vascular and bleeding complications occurred in 11.1% of patients and were not decreased with the use of VCDs (relative risk 2.60, 95% confidence interval 1.10-3.09; P=0.05). These findings were consistent across all prespecified subgroups. Duration of hospital stay was not reduced by VCDs.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of this study, performed with small-size sheaths and without heparin, collagen plug-based VCDs increase femoral access complications following aortic valvuloplasty. Systematic use of VCDs in elderly patients, with probable advanced limb atherosclerosis, is questionable.