Topical thrombin and control of bleeding from the fistula puncture sites in dialyzed patients.

The length of bleeding from the puncture sites of internal arteriovenous channels was markedly reduced with the use of topical thrombin in 12 patients treated with hemodialysis. This procedure can, therefore, save patient and staff time, minimize recurrent blood loss with each dialysis, and prolong the life of vascular access by diminishing the length of potentially hazardous compression needed for proper hemostasis.