[Percutaneous suture closure of the femoral artery access after diagnostic heart catheter examination or coronary intervention].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Alternative methods to the conventional one of external compression with a pressure bandage over the site of arterial puncture after percutaneous catheter introduction for coronary angiography or transluminal balloon coronary angioplasty have failed to reduce the rate of vascular complications. This study was undertaken to assess the complication rate of a percutaneously introduced suturing device (Techstar, Perclose).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

To achieve immediate haemostasis and thus shorten post-interventional immobilisation the technique of percutaneous suturing of the femoral artery was used in 1030 consecutive patients (793 men, 237 women; mean age 58.6 years) without obstructive vascular disease or local vascular complications.

RESULTS

Percutaneous suture closure with primary haemostasis was successful after 137 of 153 coronary angioplasties (89.5%) and after 786 of 977 left heart catheterisations (89.6%). Early mobilisation, after at most 4 hours, was possible in 923 patients with successful suture closure (89.6%). The overall complication rate was 0.78%.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous suture repair of the femoral artery after cardiac catheterisation is a safe and effective method to achieve immediate haemostasis. However, controlled studies are needed to demonstrate harmlessness of early mobilisation.