Infectious complications resulting from use of hemostatic puncture closure devices

Background: Femoral access site complications have increased as the fields of invasive cardiology, radiology, and endovascular surgery have emerged. In order to address one of these complications, hemorrhage, the hemostatic puncture closure devices were developed. Methods: Retrospective review of cardiac catheterizations performed at a single institution to investigate infectious groin complications related to use of the Perclose Prostar and Techstar devices. Results: Infectious groin complications were significantly higher in the Perclose group as compared with manual compression. Three patients had clinical and laboratory evidence of arterial infection whereas 2 had soft tissue infections. All 5 required operative intervention ranging from incision and drainage to arterial reconstruction. Hemorrhagic complications were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: The Perclose devices provide hemostasis after femoral artery catheterization similar to manual compression. However, infectious groin complications appear to be more common with these devices. (C) 2002 Excerpta Medica, Inc. All rights reserved.