Systematic use of a collagen-based vascular closure device immediately after cardiac catheterization procedures in 1,317 consecutive patients

Success and reliability of extrafemoral Exoseal vascular closure device: “Off-label” usage

Aim

The aim of this study is to present the reliability and efficacy of Exoseal vascular closure device (EVCD) for closure of extrafemoral punctures.

Materials and methods

All patients who were treated with EVCD following arterial endovascular treatment involving an extrafemoral puncture between April 2013 and January 2014 were examined retrospectively. This study included 11 patients (4 women and 7 men between the ages of 48 and 87 years; average age = 65 years). A total of 13 procedures were performed in 11 patients involving the following access routes: brachial artery (n = 5), popliteal artery (n = 4), and polytetrafluoroethylene graft (n = 4).

Results

Twelve out of 13 EVCD procedures achieved technical success and procedural success. One minor and one major complications occurred. Both complications were revealed to be pseudoaneurysms, both in the brachial artery. Pseudoaneurysm of the minor complication was treated by Fibrin Sealant (Tisseel) injection guided by ultrasonography and the other pseudoaneurysm was treated by covered stent placement.

Conclusions

The femoral artery is an essential access route of arterial endovascular procedures; however, in some cases, the extrafemoral arterial route is necessary. In this study, EVCD was found to be useful for closing extrafemoral arterial routes. This study had a limited number of cases and more large-scale studies are needed.

Korean single-center experience with femoral access closure using the ExoSeal device

AIM

To report 17-mo experience of femoral artery puncture site closure during angiographic procedures using ExoSeal vascular closure devices (VCDs).

METHODS

Between November 2015 and April 2017, we performed 179 diagnostic and interventional angiographic procedures via a common femoral arterial access. The ExoSeal VCD was used at the puncture site to achieve hemostasis in 125 patients. We evaluated the technical and procedural success rates, the complications, and the factors affecting the hemostasis time of the ExoSeal VCDs.

RESULTS

Technical and procedural successes were achieved in 176 cases (98.0%) and 128 cases (71.5%), respectively. Device failure occurred in 3 (1.7%) cases. In 1 case (0.6%) a small hematoma developed, but there were no major complications. Among the hemostasis-relevant variables, a history of drinking alcohol, low platelet (PLT) count, and high prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (commonly known as PT-INR) values were the statistically significant predictors of the need for longer manual compression (MC). There was no difference in the success rates between the repeat and single ExoSeal procedure groups, and repeated use of the ExoSeal did not affect hemostasis time.

CONCLUSION

The ExoSeal VCD effectively achieves hemostasis, with few complications. Longer light MC may be needed with alcohol drinkers, low PLT count, and high PT-INR values.

Incidence, predictors, and treatment options of critical limb ischaemia after use of collagen plug-based vascular closure devices

AIMS

Limited data are available on the frequency and predictors of vascular closure device (VCD) failure with subsequent vascular complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, clinical characteristics, and treatment options in patients with critical limb ischaemia (CLI) after use of a collagen plug-based VCD.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A high-volume, single-centre prospectively maintained database was retrospectively interrogated, and cases of collagen plug-based VCD-related CLI were identified between June 2006 and December 2013. CLI was defined as acute onset of rest pain after VCD application requiring endovascular or surgical treatment. Among 13,595 coronary procedures, 43 patients (0.3%) were identified with an Angio-Seal-related CLI. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, peripheral artery disease and renal insufficiency were identified as independent predictors for CLI after Angio-Seal application. Treatment was performed in 27 patients (63%) by surgery and in 16 patients (37%) with endovascular angioplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

CLI after use of a collagen plug-based VCD is rare. Peripheral artery disease was identified as an independent predictor of CLI. Interventional cardiologists should be aware of potentially high-risk patients and complications after use of a VCD to provide prompt and adequate therapy.

Comparison of Exo-Seal(®) and Angio-Seal (®) for arterial puncture site closure: A randomized, multicenter, single-blind trial

BACKGROUND

The use of extravascular femoral closure devices in patients undergoing coronary angiography/intervention has not been sufficiently evaluated. We sought to define the impact of an extravascular polyglycolic acid (PGA) plug for the closure of a femoral access site in patients undergoing coronary angiography and/or percutaneous coronary intervention.

METHODS

In this prospective, single-blind, multicenter trial we randomly assigned 319 patients to vessel closure with Angio-Seal(®) or Exo-Seal(®). We hypothesized that the use of an extravascular closure device is not inferior to an anchor/plug-mediated device regarding the occurrence of the composite primary endpoint: hematoma > 5 cm, significant groin bleeding (TIMI major bleed), false aneurysm, and device failure.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in patient baseline characteristics or procedural results. After 24 h the primary endpoint occurred in nine patients (5.6 %) in the Angio-Seal(®) group and in 13 patients (8.2 %) inthe Exo-Seal(®) group (p = 0.38). Hematoma > 5 cm was noted in three patients (1.9 %) receiving Angio-Seal(®) vs. two patients (1.3 %) receiving Exo-Seal(®) (p = 0.99). In one patient (0.6 %) of the Exo-Seal(®) group, TIMI major bleeding occurred, requiring transfusion (p = 0.49). There were four (2.5 %) false aneurysms found in patients treated with Angio-Seal(®) and two (1.3 %) in patients treated with Exo-Seal(®) (p = 0.68). There was a trend for a higher incidence of device failure in the Exo-Seal(®) group (1.2 vs. 5.2 %, p = 0.06). At telephone interview after 30 days, there was no significant difference found regarding the events readmission with surgery of puncture site, infection, bleeding, hematoma, or pain.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, there were no significant differences found regarding the occurrence of hematoma > 5 cm, major bleeding, false aneurysm, and device failure between Angio-Seal(®) and Exo-Seal(®) 24 h after device implantation.

Late onset iatrogenic limb ischaemia after deployment of an Angio-Seal vascular closure device

It is common practice to deploy a vascular closure device for access site closure after percutaneous angiography or cardiovascular interventions for immediate haemostasis and to facilitate early discharge. We encountered two octogenarian women who underwent and had subsequent vascular access site closure with Angio-Seal (St Jude) and who later presented with limb ischaemia needing surgical revascularisation. Our patients had undergone uneventful deployment of the Angio-Seal vascular closure device (VCD) at the right common femoral artery (CFA) access site with successful haemostasis. About 3 weeks later they presented with features of limb ischaemia needing further diagnostic work-up including repeat angiography, which revealed subtotal occlusion of right common femoral artery at the level of prior access and Angio-Seal deployment site. Both the patients underwent successful surgical repair with restoration of distal flow and resolution of symptoms. These cases illustrate the late presentation of VCD-related complications with limb ischaemia, needing surgical revascularisation.

Efficacy and time-to-hemostasis of antegrade femoral access closure using the ExoSeal vascular closure device: a retrospective single-center study

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and time-to-hemostasis of antegrade femoral access closure using the ExoSeal vascular closure device (VCD).

DESIGN

Retrospective, single-center analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between September 2010 and February 2013, 148 ExoSeal VCD closures (5-7F) of antegrade femoral accesses were performed in 119 patients (70 males, mean age 71.6 years, range 40-97 years). In all cases initial diagnostic angiography was performed via an 18G/3.8F retrograde femoral access, which was left in place during intervention (in-house standard) and was used to obtain control angiography after successful closure of the antegrade access to determine hemostasis. Technical device success was defined as ExoSeal closure without major VCD-related complications; procedural success as hemostasis within 5 minutes. Statistical analysis was performed using a logistic regression model and correlation analyses.

RESULTS

145/148 (98.0%) ExoSeal closures were technically successful (5F: n = 76; 6F: n = 65; 7F: n = 7). Angiographic control showed closure after 2 minutes in 130/145 cases. In a further 14 cases hemostasis was achieved after an additional 3 minutes MC, so that closure was successful within 5 minutes in 144/148 cases (97.3%). No major complication occurred. One minor complication was recorded in a 6F access case. Pre-interventional activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was the only statistically significant predictor of necessary manual compression (MC) > 2 minutes (p = .01), but with an odds-ratio of only 1.038. The INR showed an odds-ratio of 2.455 for need for 5 minutes MC (NS). Significant correlations were found between the need for 5 minutes MC and medication with acetylsalicylic acid (p = .01), clopidogrel (p < .01), and abciximab (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

ExoSeal vascular closure of antegrade femoral punctures is safe and effective with a low complication rate. Two minutes of MC are sufficient to achieve hemostasis in the majority of cases. However, in patients on antiplatelet therapy, especially after abciximab, the authors advocate prolonging MC to 5 minutes.

Vascular closure devices after endovascular procedures in swine: a reliable method?

Purpose. To investigate the safety and feasibility of the use of a vascular closure device (VCD) after endovascular procedures in swine. Material and Methods. In a study on endovascular therapy, VCD (StarClose, Abbott Vascular, Il, USA) was used in 20 female swines to achieve immediate hemostasis after percutaneous right femoral artery (FA) access. 10 animals were sacrificed immediately after the study and 10 animals were sacrificed 28 days after the initial study. To ensure complete hemostasis and patency of the femoral artery, a CT-angiography of the puncture site was performed on day 1 (acute and chronic group) and day 28 (chronic group). After the sacrifice, the femoral artery was explanted and examined macroscopically for signs of VCD dysfunction. Results. Technical success rate was 100% with immediate hemostasis being achieved in all animals. No animals showed evidence of hematoma. During explantation, only small traces of coagulated blood were found in the acute group, while there were no signs of hematoma in the chronic group. CT-angiography immediately after VCD application as well as before sacrifice (chronic group) showed patency of the FA in all cases. Conclusion. The use of VCD to achieve hemostasis after endovascular studies in swine is feasible and safe.

Feasibility of vascular access closure in arteries other than the common femoral artery using the ExoSeal vascular closure device

PURPOSE

To describe the feasibility of vascular access closure in arteries other than the common femoral artery (CFA) using the ExoSeal vascular closure device (VCD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between December 2011 and August 2013, 8 patients (4 males, 4 females, mean age 64 years [range 42-81]) underwent 13 extrafemoral access site closure using the ExoSeal VCD (brachial artery n = 7, venous femoropopliteal bypass n = 3, femoropopliteal segment n = 2, proximal superficial femoral artery n = 1). Patient history, procedural characteristics, and complications were recorded.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in 12 of 13 VCD procedures. In 1 case of brachial puncture, safe plug-deployment was not possible, so manual compression was applied. In this case, angiographic and clinical control showed residual bleeding 5 min after the procedure. After additional manual compression for 5 min, the haemorrhage stopped, but a hematoma <3 cm was detectable (procedural success rate 12 of 13 closures). Overall no major complications were observed. Heparin, 5,000 IU, was administered in all cases. Six ExoSeal closures were performed under additional acetylsalicylic acid (ASS) and clopidogrel, three under additional ASS, and the remaining four under heparin only. International normalized ratio and thrombocytes were within normal values in all patients.

CONCLUSION

Successful vascular access closure using the ExoSeal VCD in puncture sites other than the CFA is feasible with a low complication rate. These applications, however, remain an "off-label" use in selected patients.

Retrospective evaluation of safety and effectiveness of the EXOSEAL vascular closure device for single vascular closure and closure after repeat puncture in diagnostic and interventional radiology: single-center experience

PURPOSE

To retrospectively evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the EXOSEAL vascular closure device (VCD) for first or repeated closure after retrograde percutaneous femoral arterial access.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 417 patients (271 men; mean age, 64.1 y±12.8; age range, 22-94 y) who had undergone arterial closure with the EXOSEAL VCD was performed. Procedures with retrograde femoral access and closure with the 5-F, 6-F, or 7-F EXOSEAL VCD according to the manufacturer's instructions were included. The clinical indications included the full procedural portfolio of a radiologic department with a focus on transarterial hepatic procedures. After EXOSEAL VCD closure, patients were restricted to bed rest for 4 hours.

RESULTS

From August 2010 to March 2012, a total of 682 EXOSEAL VCDs (5-F, n = 276; 6-F, n = 394; 7-F, n = 12) were used in 659 procedures with a total of 404 repeated closures. The EXOSEAL VCD was used successfully in 676 of 682 procedures (99.1%). Hemostasis was achieved in 651 of 682 procedures (95.5%). No major complications were encountered. There were eight cases (1.17%) of minor complications despite a successful vascular closure procedure, none requiring further therapy. There were no complications in any of the 404 cases of repeated vascular closure.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that the EXOSEAL VCD is safe and effective in single and repeated closure of retrograde percutaneous femoral arterial access in interventional radiology cases.

Clinical and economic evaluation of ambulatory endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive lesions

BACKGROUND

Ambulatory management of patients is an alternative to conventional hospitalization. In this study we evaluate the results of a prospective cohort study of patients receiving ambulatory endovascular treatment for peripheral arterial lesions.

METHODS

From June 2008 to October 2010, ambulatory management was proposed for endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial lesions. An arterial closure device (Angio-Seal(®); St. Jude Medical) was used. For ambulatory treatment, patients were prohibited from driving a vehicle at discharge, had to be accompanied the first night after the procedure, had to live <1 hour from a medical facility, had to be reachable by telephone the day after the intervention, and had to remain hospitalized in the event of a complication. The principal criterion was morbimortality at 1 month. Secondary criteria were clinical improvement, patency, complications related to the arterial closure, and costs evaluation at 1 month.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients were included and 50 ambulatory procedures were carried out. The patients presented with claudication (92%) or a critical ischemia (8%) of the lower extremities. All procedures were carried out by femoral puncture (retrograde in 94% and anterograde in 6% of the cases). The patients presented with iliac (68%) and femoropopliteal (64%) lesions. Lesions included stenoses (70%), thromboses (16%), and intrastent restenoses (14%). The rate of failure of ambulatory hospitalization was 16% (n = 8) without a serious undesirable event: 2 patients were hospitalized after a surgical conversion for iliac rupture and disinsertion of stent; 3 patients developed a hematoma during the intervention at the point of puncture; and in 3 cases the system of percutaneous closure failed. The mean duration of hospitalization was 1.36 ± 1.33 days. At 1 month, clinical improvement was observed in 97.5% of cases, with a primary patency of 100%. No perioperative rehospitalization or puncture site complications were observed. Ambulatory management made it possible to save 42 days of hospitalization, with associated costs of 10,971€, compared with conventional hospitalization. The additional costs related to use of the Angio-Seal amounted to 7427€.

CONCLUSION

Ambulatory endovascular treatment of patients presenting with peripheral arterial lesions is reliable and effective and may contribute to savings in healthcare spending.

Initial experience with Angioseal™: Safety and efficacy of the endovascular closure device

Background:

Vascular access site management is crucial to safe, efficient, and comfortable diagnostic or interventional percutaneous procedures. The Angioseal™ vascular closure device has been shown to be safe and effective in reducing the time to hemostasis following angiographic or interventional procedures. Relatively few studies have been conducted in the UK to assess the safety and efficacy of the device in a local setting.

Materials and Methods:

Data were retrospectively reviewed on 147 patients who underwent either diagnostic angiography or percutaneous interventional procedures from January 2008 to October 2009, and who had the femoral access site closed by 6F VIP Angioseal. A total of 147 patients (F: 49, M: 98), including 80 right femoral punctures, 57 left femoral punctures, and 10 bilateral punctures were reviewed using radiological reports and patients’ clinical data. Data on antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy were recorded. All procedures were carried out by two interventional radiologists at a single institution, under similar operating conditions.

Results:

There were a total of six complications (4.47%), of which one was a major complication (0.75%), i.e., retroperitoneal bleed. There were five minor complications (3.73%), which included device deployment failure (2), device malfunction (2), and a superficial hematoma (>6 cm). Total complications were 6 out of 157 (3.8%) [95% CI = 0.8-6.8%)]. Successful hemostasis was achieved in less than 5 min in over 97% of patients. Successful device deployment was seen in over 98% of cases.

Conclusion:

We conclude that in our experience, the Angioseal vascular closure device is a safe and efficient means of achieving hemostasis post antegrade or retrograde puncture for diagnostic and percutaneous intervention procedures.

Animal experimental evaluation of a new sealing device for indwelling arterial catheters

BACKGROUND

Hematoma is a common complication following arterial puncture. To date no device that allows sealing of an arterial puncture site with in-situ catheter has been developed.

PURPOSE

To evaluate a newly developed arterial sealing device for endovascular catheters in an in-vivo experimental setting.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A peelable collagen-based vascular sealing device for endovascular catheters was tested in acute (follow-up: 4 h; n = 2) and chronic (follow-up: 1 week; n = 4) settings in the femoral artery (FA) of sheep. After implantation correct position of the device as well as patency of the FA were verified angiographically. In the chronic group, hematoma was excluded and patency of FA was assured using color Doppler ultrasound 1 and 3 days after the procedure. After 1 week a final ultrasound and an angiography were performed for final evaluation. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and the puncture site was dissected and analyzed macroscopically.

RESULTS

Sufficient sealing of the puncture site could be observed in all animals. In acute and chronic experiments, neither a hematoma at the puncture site nor other complications were observed after positioning the sealing device. Follow-up color Doppler ultrasounds (CDUS) and final angiography revealed patent FAs in all animals. Macroscopic evaluation of dissection material proved collagen plug and catheter being in place.

CONCLUSION

Our preliminary in-vivo results demonstrate a safe and convenient vascular sealing system for endovascular catheters. No acute or chronic complications were observed.

Practices and complications of vascular closure devices and manual compression in patients undergoing elective transfemoral coronary procedures

Femoral arterial puncture is the most common access method for coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). Access complications, although infrequent, affect morbidity, mortality, costs, and length of hospital stay. Vascular closure devices (VCDs) are used for rapid hemostasis and early ambulation, but there is no consensus on whether VCDs are superior to manual compression (MC). A retrospective review and nested case-control study of consecutive patients undergoing elective transfemoral coronary angiography and PCI over 3 years was performed. Hemostasis strategy was performed according to the operators' discretion. Vascular complications were defined as groin bleeding (hematoma, hemoglobin decrease ≥3 g/dl, transfusion, retroperitoneal bleeding, or arterial perforation), pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula formation, obstruction, or infection. Patients with postprocedure femoral vascular access complications were compared to randomly selected patients without complication. Data were available for 9,108 procedures, of which PCI was performed in 3,172 (34.8%). MC was performed in 2,581 (28.3%) and VCDs (4 different types) were deployed in 6,527 procedures (71.7%). Significant complications occurred in 74 procedures (0.81%), with 32 (1.24%) complications with MC and 42 (0.64%) with VCD (p = 0.004). VCD deployment failed in 80 procedures (1.23%), of which 8 (10%) had vascular complications. VCD use was a predictor of fewer complications (odds ratio 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.33 to 0.83). In the case-control analysis, older age and use of large (7Fr to 8Fr) femoral sheaths were independent predictors of complications. In conclusion, the retrospective analysis of contemporary hemostasis strategies and outcomes in elective coronary procedures identified a low rate of complications (0.81%), with superior results after VCD deployment. Careful selection of hemostasis strategy and closure device may further decrease complication rates.

Arterial thrombosis after using Angio-Seal

Percutaneous closure systems of arterial puncture sites are being used more and more in modern endovascular practice. In this article, we report five cases of thrombotic complications following Angio-Seal deployment which required to be treated in our department between June 2004 and January 2006. We carried out a computerized literature review using "vascular closure" as a keyword and elected 106 articles published between 1992 and 2007. The analysis of this literature review showed that the rate of percutaneous closure complications was similar to the rate of manual compression complications, which is still the reference method. The complications associated with the use of these systems were more complex and more often required surgical repair. The severity and frequency of these complications differ based on the type of closure systems. The vascular surgeon in charge must have a good knowledge of these systems and of the complications each of them entails to be able to treat them in the most appropriate way.

Endovascular treatment of Angio-Seal-related limb ischemia--primary results and long-term follow-up

OBJECTIVES

To investigate primary success rates and long term follow-up of endovascular treatment of AngioSeal-related limb ischemia.

BACKGROUND

Current knowledge on optimal therapy of ischemic complications following application of AngioSeal is limited.

METHODS

A single-center prospectively maintained database was retrospectively interrogated and AngioSeal-related complications requiring endovascular treatment over an 8-year-time period was identified.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were identified, resulting in an approximated incidence of 0.26% of all devices implanted at our institution. In all cases, the complication was managed successfully in the absence of complications. Eleven patients were treated with balloon angioplasty (PTA) and four with stent implantation because of suboptimal PTA results. Twelve patients were available for noninvasive vascular follow-up examination for a median time of 40 months postinterventionally. Only two patients needed a second intervention consisting of balloon angioplasty due to symptomatic restenosis. At final follow-up all patients were asymptomatic with no relevant restenosis.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular treatment for AngioSeal-related limb ischemia with or without stent implantation results in an excellent immediate and long-term clinical and hemodynamic outcome.

A modified "preclosure" technique after percutaneous aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of suture-mediated closure devices using a modified "preclosure" technique for access site management after percutaneous aortic valve replacement (PAVR).

BACKGROUND

PAVR using a retrograde transfemoral approach has recently evolved to an endovascular alternative to open surgery in high-risk patients. However, large-bore femoral artery access is required, commonly demanding surgical closure and general anesthesia. A truly percutaneous intervention would be desirable to reduce procedural complexity and diminish the need of vascular surgery and general anaesthesia.

METHODS

After direct puncture of the common femoral artery, three conventional suture-mediated closure devices (6F Perclose) were deployed. The preloaded sutures were tied at the end of the procedure. If no immediate hemostasis was achieved, an additional device was deployed thereafter.

RESULTS

PAVR with percutaneous access site closure was attempted in 15 consecutive patients and could successfully be achieved in all patients allowing conscious sedation in all but three cases. Following complications occurred: one retroperitoneal bleeding caused by removal of the valve delivery sheath requiring surgical repair, as well as two cases of femoral and iliac artery dissection caused by delivery sheath introduction and treated by stenting and vascular surgery, respectively. Vascular surgery became only necessary due to total vessel occlusion after suture closure and remains the only closure-related complication. However, treatment led to recovery in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified "preclosure" technique is a feasible and safe method for hemostasis after PAVR improving procedural management and diminishing the need for general anesthesia.

Safety and effectiveness of repeat arterial closure using the AngioSeal device in patients with hepatic malignancy

PURPOSE

To retrospectively evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the use of the AngioSeal device for repeat arterial closure in patients with hepatic malignancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patients with hepatic malignancy who had undergone repeated arterial closure with the AngioSeal device was performed. All charts for patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization or TheraSphere radioembolization were reviewed for the method of hemostasis and the number of arterial closures. A total of 53 patients (58.5% men, 41.5% women; mean age, 58.7 years) had repeat AngioSeal arterial puncture closure after chemoembolization or TheraSphere treatment. Percutaneous closure of the common femoral artery with the AngioSeal device was performed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. The patients were examined for complications on follow-up. Effectiveness was defined by the ability to obtain satisfactory hemostasis. Safety was assessed by the absence of groin complications and by vessel patency on follow-up angiograms of the puncture site obtained at subsequent liver-directed therapy sessions.

RESULTS

Fifty-three patients in this study group had a total of 203 common femoral artery punctures. There were a total of 161 closures with the AngioSeal device (79.3%): 58 (36%) single closures and 103 (64.0%) repeat closures. Of the 161 attempts at AngioSeal closure, there was one closure failure in the single-puncture group, yielding a success rate of 98.3%; and one closure failure in the repeat-puncture group, yielding a success rate of 99%. In these two patients, hemostasis was achieved with traditional manual compression without the need for any other device, and no complications were noted. The overall success rate of AngioSeal device closure was 98.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

The repeat use of the AngioSeal closure device is safe and effective in patients with hepatic malignancy undergoing regional oncologic interventional procedures.

Ischemic complications of percutaneous femoral artery catheterization

Ischemic injuries following percutaneous femoral artery catheterization are uncommon but have been associated with vascular closure devices (VCDs). The purpose of this study was to retrospectively compare ischemic and hemorrhagic complications of femoral artery catheterization and to identify factors associated with ischemic injuries. The operative registries of the attending vascular surgeons at one academic and two community hospitals were retrospectively reviewed to identify all complications of femoral artery catheterization requiring operative intervention. Demographic, clinical, procedural, operative, and outcome data were compared between patients who sustained ischemic and hemorrhagic complications. From January 2001 to December 2006, 95 patients required operative management of complications related to femoral artery catheterization including 40 patients who experienced ischemic (group 1) and 55 patients who experienced hemorrhagic (group 2) complications. Compared to those sustaining hemorrhagic complications, ischemic complications were more frequently associated with younger age, smoking, VCD deployment, and, when controlling for VCD use, female gender. Time to presentation was also significantly longer in patients experiencing ischemic complications. Ischemic complications are increasingly recognized following femoral artery catheterization. Vascular surgeons should anticipate a new pattern of injury following femoral artery catheterization, one that often requires complex arterial reconstruction.

StarClose Vascular Closure Device: Prospective Study on 222 Deployments in an Interventional Radiology Practice

The StarClose device (Abbott Vascular Devices; Abbott Laboratories, Redwood City, CA) utilizes an externally placed Nitinol clip to achieve arterial closure following femoral artery puncture. The objectives of this study were to assess the efficacy and complications of the StarClose device in patients undergoing interventional radiological procedures. Preprocedural clotting status, pulse and blood pressure, severity of vessel calcification, sheath size, and time to deployment were recorded. Postdeployment complications immediately postprocedure, at 1 h, at 2 h, and at 1 week were recorded. A duplex scan was performed in the first 10 patients to assess any immediate vascular complications. Deployments were successful in 96% achieving immediate hemostasis. Mean deployment time was 48 s. There were no major complications. The StarClose device was found to have a high technical and clinical efficacy.

Perioperative blood transfusion and blood conservation in cardiac surgery: the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists clinical practice guideline

BACKGROUND

A minority of patients having cardiac procedures (15% to 20%) consume more than 80% of the blood products transfused at operation. Blood must be viewed as a scarce resource that carries risks and benefits. A careful review of available evidence can provide guidelines to allocate this valuable resource and improve patient outcomes.

METHODS

We reviewed all available published evidence related to blood conservation during cardiac operations, including randomized controlled trials, published observational information, and case reports. Conventional methods identified the level of evidence available for each of the blood conservation interventions. After considering the level of evidence, recommendations were made regarding each intervention using the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology classification scheme.

RESULTS

Review of published reports identified a high-risk profile associated with increased postoperative blood transfusion. Six variables stand out as important indicators of risk: (1) advanced age, (2) low preoperative red blood cell volume (preoperative anemia or small body size), (3) preoperative antiplatelet or antithrombotic drugs, (4) reoperative or complex procedures, (5) emergency operations, and (6) noncardiac patient comorbidities. Careful review revealed preoperative and perioperative interventions that are likely to reduce bleeding and postoperative blood transfusion. Preoperative interventions that are likely to reduce blood transfusion include identification of high-risk patients who should receive all available preoperative and perioperative blood conservation interventions and limitation of antithrombotic drugs. Perioperative blood conservation interventions include use of antifibrinolytic drugs, selective use of off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery, routine use of a cell-saving device, and implementation of appropriate transfusion indications. An important intervention is application of a multimodality blood conservation program that is institution based, accepted by all health care providers, and that involves well thought out transfusion algorithms to guide transfusion decisions.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on available evidence, institution-specific protocols should screen for high-risk patients, as blood conservation interventions are likely to be most productive for this high-risk subset. Available evidence-based blood conservation techniques include (1) drugs that increase preoperative blood volume (eg, erythropoietin) or decrease postoperative bleeding (eg, antifibrinolytics), (2) devices that conserve blood (eg, intraoperative blood salvage and blood sparing interventions), (3) interventions that protect the patient's own blood from the stress of operation (eg, autologous predonation and normovolemic hemodilution), (4) consensus, institution-specific blood transfusion algorithms supplemented with point-of-care testing, and most importantly, (5) a multimodality approach to blood conservation combining all of the above.

Peripheral angioplasty with same-day discharge in patients with intermittent claudication

BACKGROUND

As the number of endovascular interventions increase and resources become scarce, surgeons need to be aware of cost-effective and efficient practice options. Many surgeons routinely admit their patients for overnight observation after uneventful endovascular interventions. Although this may be appropriate for patients with tissue loss and rest pain, we believe that peripheral angioplasty in patients with claudication can be safely performed as an outpatient procedure with significant cost savings.

METHODS

All patients with intermittent claudication undergoing peripheral angioplasty by a single vascular surgeon were enrolled prospectively in a same-day discharge protocol. Involved arteries and use of stent and closure device were recorded. Time to mobilization and time to discharge were determined. Patients were observed in an observation unit by a registered nurse, and were examined by the surgeon at the time of ambulation and before discharge. Patients were admitted to the hospital if complications arose during the predetermined observation period. Periprocedural complications and reasons for admission were noted. Patients were evaluated at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 3 to 6 months after the intervention.

RESULTS

During 27 months, 112 interventions were performed in 97 patients. The superficial femoral artery was the most frequent site of intervention (47%). Multiple sites had angioplasty in 27 (24%) procedures. Nine (8%) procedures resulted in admission. One patient was admitted for a major puncture site hematoma requiring blood transfusion, two patients for observation of a minor hematoma at the puncture site, one for chest pain, and one for observation of transient bradycardia. The mean time to mobilization was 1.4 +/- 1.3 hours, and the mean time to discharge was 2.8 +/- 1.2 hours. The average postprocedural cost for patients undergoing same-day discharge was $320 per patient, which contrasts with $1800 for routine overnight observation. No deaths or unplanned admissions to the hospital occurred < or =30 days of intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Same-day discharge after peripheral angioplasty is safe and cost-effective. Need for admission is evident within 2 hours. Routine admission after peripheral angioplasty for patients with claudication is unnecessary and should no longer be the standard of care.

Safety and efficacy of staple-mediated femoral arteriotomy closure: Results from a randomized multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Mechanical closure of percutaneous femoral arteriotomies following catheter based procedures remains problematic.

METHODS

The EVS closure device is the first to utilize a staple to effect arteriotomy closure and was compared to manual compression following sheath removal in a 362 patient randomized (2:1 to device) multicenter trial. As pre-specified, one half of the patients underwent coronary intervention.

RESULTS

Time to hemostasis was significantly reduced in the EVS group for both diagnostic (3.3 +/- 2.6 vs. 19.3 +/- 5.7 minutes; p < 0.001) and interventional procedures (5.5 +/- 5.1 vs. 22.3 +/- 9.9 minutes; p < 0.0001). Time to ambulation was similarly reduced in the EVS group following diagnostic (2.4 +/- 3.3 vs. 6.0 +/- 5.2 hours; p < 0.001) and interventional procedures (3.4 +/- 4.5 vs. 7.6 +/- 7.0 hours; p < 0.001). The incidence of major complications was similar between the EVS and manual compression groups at discharge (0.4% vs. 1.7%; p = NS) and at 30 day follow-up (0.4% vs. 2.5%; p = NS).

CONCLUSION

Compared to manual compression, the EVS device provides a safe and effective method of femoral artery closure.

Nursing Outcomes

Percutaneous coronary interventional (PCI) procedures are commonly performed in the United States. The process of caring for this patient population has changed dramatically over the last 10 years, with many of the changes being driven by an evolution in the knowledge base underlying nursing practice. The purpose of this article is to provide a summary and critique of nurse-sensitive outcomes related to patients undergoing PCI procedures and to identify gaps in the literature to provide recommendations for future research. Nursing research on indicators related to costs of care, morbidity, symptom management, functional status, patient/family knowledge, patient responses, behavior, and home/occupational function following PCI are discussed in this review.