[Duplex ultrasound control of the effectiveness of a newly developed combined pressure clamp for acute and long-term pressure dressings of the femoral artery and vein after heart catheterization].

After transfemoral angiography the artery has to be manually compressed in order to stop acute bleeding. Then, to prevent retarded bleeding, a continuous pressure dressing has to be fixed for up to 24 h. To simplify this procedure, we developed a novel compression device and tested it in 133 patients. Color-flow-ultra-sonography was used to scan gross alterations such as hematomas, AV-fistulas or pseudoaneurysms, and changes in tissue consistency as well. By the new device it is possible to perform femoral artery compression and to substitute pressure dressing safely and with significantly less expenditure than by the combination of manual compression and pressure dressing. We found a reduction from 18 to 3 min time requirement for primary sealing of the puncture site. Moreover, 86% of patients experienced in both methods--the conventional and the new device--would prefer the new equipment in recatheterization. It is better tolerated than the combination of pressure dressing and manual compression. The device is reusable and the compression is easily and exactly adjustable in a wide pressure range. In comparison with previously described mechanical compression systems the remarkable advantage of our device is to merge the function of compression for sealing of the puncture site and pressure dressing for prevention of retarded bleeding.