Complications associated with percutaneous closure devices

BACKGROUND: In an effort to reduce time to hemostasis after angiography, several closure devices have been marketed. We report some of their complications. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted. RESULTS: Over an 8-month study period, 2,181 diagnostic and interventional procedures were performed. Closure devices were used in 408 (19%) of these patients. The Angio-Seal closure device is composed of a collagen sponge and an absorbable polymer anchor that compresses the hole in the arteriotomy. The ProstarXL sealing device consists of a rotating barrel that deploys 4 needles through the arteriotomy, and then individual knots are extracorporeally tied. The Duett device consists of a balloon occluding catheter and injectable collagen and thrombin. Ten of the patients developed a complication from the closure device (2.5%). Four of these were subcutaneous abscesses. Two of these patients had expanding pseudaneurysms, 2 had lower extremity ischemia, and 1 patient had an acute bleed. These complications were all managed surgically. Another patient developed a retroperitoneal bleed that was managed nonoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: AS the use of these devices increase, these complications will become more common. (C) 1999 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.