title: Changing patterns of access site complications with the use of percutaneous closure devices.
abstract: The authors report their experience with 15 cases of groin complications associated with the use of percutaneous closure devices following femoral arterial catheterization over a 2-year period. The complication rate was 1.7% for catheterizations in which a closure device was used. The 15 cases included 7 uncomplicated pseudoaneurysms (PSA), 3 infected pseudoaneurysms, 4 nonarterial groin infections (infected hematomas and/or abscesses), and 1 case of femoral artery occlusion. These complications presented at an average of 5 +/- 4 days postcatheterization. One patient with an infected PSA required a below-the-knee amputation. During the same time interval, there were no infectious complications in patients not receiving closure devices. We conclude that groin complications associated with such devices tend to present late and include a higher percentage of infections as opposed to complications occurring in patients not receiving closure devices. An aggressive surgical approach to these problems appears warranted.
authors.affiliation: Section of Vascular Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. toursarkiss@uthscsa.edu
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Toursarkissian
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mejia
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Smilanich
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Shireman
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Sykes
mesh_terms: D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004691:Endarterectomy; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013781:Texas