Three-way stopcock suture technique for hemostasis after ablation for atrial fibrillation

Suture-based techniques versus manual compression for femoral venous haemostasis after electrophysiology procedures

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Methods for femoral venous haemostasis following electrophysiology (EP) procedures include manual compression (MC) and suture-based techniques such as a figure-of-eight suture secured with a hand-tied knot (Fo8HT) or a modified figure-of-eight suture secured with a 3-way stopcock (Fo8MOD). We hypothesised that short-term bleeding outcomes using the Fo8MOD approach would be superior to MC. We additionally compared outcomes between Fo8MOD and Fo8HT approaches.

METHODS

We studied consecutive patients undergoing EP procedures at our institution between March and December 2023. Patients were categorised into three haemostasis groups: MC, Fo8HT and Fo8MOD. Access site complications were classified as major (requiring intervention or blood transfusion, delaying discharge or resulting in death) or minor (bleeding/haematoma requiring additional compression).

RESULTS

1089 patients were included: MC 718 (65.9%); Fo8HT 105 (9.6%); Fo8MOD 266 (24.4%). Procedures were most commonly for atrial fibrillation (52.4%), atrial flutter (10.9%), and atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (10.1%). In patients receiving periprocedural anticoagulation (865, 79.4%), Fo8MOD associated with fewer complications than MC or Fo8HT (major: MC 2.2%, Fo8HT 6.0%, Fo8MOD 0.8%, p = .01; minor: MC 16.5%, Fo8HT 12.0%, Fo8MOD 7.4%, p = .002). In patients not receiving periprocedural anticoagulation, complications did not differ between haemostasis methods (total major and minor complications 5.8%, p = .729 for between groups rates). On multivariable logistic regression, Fo8MOD was associated with a significantly lower risk of access site complications (OR 0.29 [95% CI 0.17-0.48], p < .001), whilst intraprocedural heparinisation (OR 5.25 [2.88-9.69], p < .001) and larger maximal sheath size (OR 1.06 [1.00-1.11], p = .04) were associated with a higher risk of complications.

CONCLUSION

Femoral haemostasis with Fo8MOD associates with fewer access site complications than MC and Fo8HT following EP procedures that need periprocedural anticoagulation.

Feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a novel external compression vascular closure device: The LockeT® study

INTRODUCTION

Hemostasis following large-bore femoral vein access remains a challenge. Manual compression has been the standard of care but requires bedside staff, prolonged bed rest, and longer length of stay. The LockeT is an external compression device that attempts to address these issues while achieving venous hemostasis.

OBJECTIVES

We evaluate postprocedural hemostasis and vascular closure outcomes after using LockeT following cardiac electrophysiologic procedures.

METHODS

We performed a single-center, observational study of patients who underwent vascular closure for electrophysiology procedures using LockeT. Postprocedural outcomes were subsequently analyzed.

RESULTS

We studied 102 patients (N) for whom LockeT was used to close 182 separate vascular access sites (n). Common procedures were atrial fibrillation ablation (56.9%, N = 58) and left atrial appendage occlusion (28.4%, N = 29). Most often, 8-Fr [48.3% (n = 126)], 11-Fr [27.2% (n = 71)], and 8.5-Fr [16.9% (n = 44)] sheaths were used, with an average procedure time of 82.1 ± 29.4 min. Hemostasis was achieved in 97.8% (n = 187) of all LockeT cases. Time to ambulation and discharge were 3.93 ± 1.10 h and 8.1 ± 4.4 h, respectively. No major complications were noted. Postprocedurally, 52% (N = 53) of patients were discharged on the same day. There were no differences in hemostasis (p = .859) or ambulation times (p = .202) between procedure types.

CONCLUSION

The LockeT can effectively close venous access sites with no major complications.

Feasibility and safety of same-day discharge and shortened bedrest after atrial fibrillation ablation

Background

While initial studies suggest that same-day discharge or shortened bedrest may be feasible for some patients following atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, the risks and benefits of this approach remain unclear for patients undergoing hemostasis with figure-of-eight (FO8) suture technique.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated access site bleeding, length of hospitalization, urinary catheterization, and other clinical outcomes in patients undergoing AF ablation with 3 hours of bedrest between April and May 2021, and compared them to a control group that had undergone AF ablation with 6 hours of bedrest from April to July 2019. FO8 sutures were used for hemostasis in all patients. Independent risk factors for bleeding and urinary catheterization were determined using multiple logistic regression.

Results

Same-day discharge was achieved in 74% of patients in the 3-hour bedrest group compared to 7% of patients in the 6-hour bedrest group (p < 0.001). There were no differences between 3-hour and 6-hour bedrest groups in the rates of serious adverse events (2% vs. 1%, p = 0.45) or rehospitalizations or ED visits (1% vs. 3%, p = 0.45) within 30 days of ablation. The 3-hour bedrest group showed a non-significant trend toward more access site bleeding (15% vs. 8%, p = 0.10), but had a significant reduction in urinary catheterization (27% vs. 64%, p < 0.001) and opioid analgesia use (20% vs. 33%, p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Same-day discharge after 3 hours of bedrest is safe and feasible following AF ablation and is not associated with higher rates of complications or rehospitalizations at 30 days. Reduced bedrest resulted in decreased opioid analgesia and urinary catheterization.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10840-022-01255-4.

Tine-Based Leadless Pacemaker: Strategies for Safe Implantation in Unconventional Clinical Scenarios

Leadless pacemakers (LPs) have emerged as a meaningful alternative to transvenous pacemakers for single-ventricular pacing. LPs eliminate many of lead- and pocket-associated complications observed with transvenous pacemakers. Owing to the lack of atrioventricular synchronous pacing until recently, the use of LP was generally reserved for those patients who either required minimal ventricular pacing or had permanent atrial fibrillation. The only commercially available LP is the Micra transcatheter pacing system (Micra-TPS, Medtronic Inc. Fridley, Minnesota), which requires insertion of a 27-F (outer diameter) introducer sheath in the femoral vein. The LP is delivered to the right ventricle using a 23-F delivery catheter. Owing to the need for a large-bore sheath, the pivotal studies for the Micra transcatheter pacing system excluded patients with indwelling inferior vena cava filters and included only a few patients with bioprosthetic or repaired tricuspid valve. Subsequent real-world experience has demonstrated the overall safety and feasibility of LP placement, and use in various unconventional clinical settings has been validated, albeit with specific precautions. Additionally, incorporation of adjunctive techniques and strategies can improve the safety of the procedure in routine clinical settings as well. The objective of this state-of-the-art review is to highlight the key procedural elements to facilitate safe and efficient implantation of LP in routine as well as in unique clinical settings.

Torque device suture technique to achieve hemostasis in large-bore venous access

Objectives

To describe and compare a novel technique using a torque device to manage figure‐of‐eight suture tension for venous access hemostasis in patients who have undergone atrial septal defect (ASD) or patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure.

Background

Large bore venous access has become increasingly important in transcatheter procedures, but management of hemostasis can be time‐consuming and/or resource intensive. As such, various techniques have sought to provide cost effective and safe alternatives to manual compression. We describe a modification of the figure‐of‐eight suture technique wherein we apply a torque device to manage variable suture tension instead of tying a knot and compare it to the standard figure‐of‐eight suture technique.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of 40 consecutive patients who underwent ASD or PFO closure, 20 of whom underwent standard figure‐of‐eight technique and 20 of whom underwent figure‐of‐eight with torque device modification. Bleeding Academic Research Consortium definitions were used to categorize bleeding events.

Results

The groups were similar in age, gender, weight, aspirin use, platelet count, procedure time, hemoglobin, and international normalized ratio. Standard figure‐of‐eight suture had seven patients with bleeding, with six classified as BARC II and one as BARC I. Figure‐of‐eight plus torque device had three patients with bleeding, with two classified BARC II and one as BARC I. There were no incidences of hematoma in either group.

Conclusion

The torque device suture technique is a unique modification of the figure‐of‐eight suture technique to achieve venous hemostasis. In addition, the modification allows secure and variable suture tension as well as easy removal by nursing staff.

Heparin reversal with protamine sulfate is not required in atrial fibrillation ablation with suture hemostasis

BACKGROUND

The utility of protamine sulfate for heparin reversal in catheter-based atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is unclear when using the suture closure technique for vascular hemostasis.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to address if protamine sulfate use for heparin reversal reduces vascular access complications in AF catheter ablation when suture techniques are used for postprocedural vascular hemostasis.

METHODS

This is a retrospective multicenter observational study of 294 consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation for AF with subsequent vascular access hemostasis by means of a figure-of-eight suture or stopcock technique. A total of 156 patients received protamine for heparin reversal before sheath removal while 138 patients did not receive protamine. The two groups were compared for procedural activated clotting time (ACT), access site complications, and duration of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Baseline demographic characteristics were comparable in both groups. Despite higher ACT before venous sheath removal in patients not receiving protamine (288.0 ± 44.3 vs 153.9 ± 32.0 seconds; P < .001), there was no significant difference in groin complications, postoperative thromboembolic events, or duration of hospital stay between the two groups. Suture failure requiring manual compression was rarely observed in this cohort (0.34%).

CONCLUSION

With modern vascular access and sheath management techniques, for patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF, simple suture closure techniques can obviate the need for protamine administration to safely achieve hemostasis after removal of vascular sheaths.

Comparison of standard vs modified "figure-of-eight" suture to achieve femoral venous hemostasis after cryoballoon based atrial fibrillation ablation

BACKGROUND

Immediate hemostasis following removal of sheaths is essential to prevent access site complications after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Despite various precautions to achieve complete hemostasis in a safe and effective manner, no standard approach is present yet.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of standard vs modified figure-of-eight (sFoE vs mFoE) suture for immediate venous hemostasis after cryoballoon (CB) AF ablation.

METHODS

A total of 150 patients who underwent CB catheter ablation were sequentially allocated to either sFoE (n = 75) or mFoE (n = 75) suture to achieve immediate venous hemostasis at right femoral access site after 15 Fr sheath removal. A "three-way stopcock" was used in the mFoE group rather than tying the knot as in a sFoE group. Demographics, clinical and procedural data, and access site complications were recorded.

RESULTS

Immediate haemostasis was achieved in all patients (n = 75) with mFoE suture as compared to 90.7% (n = 68) of sFoE suture group (P < .001). Light manual pressure of ≤1 min was required in five patients (6.7%) due to looseness and conventional manual compression because of the snapped silk suture during knotting was required in two patients (2.6%) in the sFoE group. Time to hemostasis was shorter in the mFoE group (P < .001), but time to ambulation and time to discharge were similar in both groups (P > .05). Although no minor or major access site complication has occurred in the mFoE group, in-hospital rebleeding (n = 2, 2.7%) and early local access site infection (n = 2, 2.7%) were observed in the sFoE group.

CONCLUSION

The mFoE suture using three-way stopcock is an available, effective, maybe safe, and time- and cost-saving alternative technique to achieve immediate hemostasis after removal of 15 Fr right femoral venous sheath in patients undergoing cryoablation.