SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between February 2002 and June 2004, 110 patients (Group I: 60.0±9.0 years, 84 male), who underwent a 6-month follow-up coronary angiography (CAG) following PCI and the use of an Angioseal(r) closure device, were compared with a further 110 randomly assigned patients (Group II: 61.4±9.2 years, 78 male), who received manual compression for femoral artery hemostasis following PCI during the same period. The occurrence of femoral puncture site complications, the time to active ambulation following PCI and procedural difficulties for recannulation during the follow-up CAG were analyzed.

RESULTS: The baseline clinical characteristics and procedure related factors were similar between the two groups. No major complications were noted in either group. There were no differences in the incidence of minor complications, including puncture site oozing or hematoma, between the two groups. The time to active ambulation was significantly shorter in group I than II (7.2±2.7 vs. 17.3±4.2 hours, p=0.001). At the 6-month follow-up CAG, no major complications associated with re-puncture at the same site of the femoral artery were noted, and there were no differences in the incidence of minor complications between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: An Angioseal(r) was a convenient method of hemostasis, which promoted early ambulation without difficulties in the reuse of the femoral artery.