Femoral artery occlusion with a percutaneous arterial closure device after a routine coronary angiogram: a case report and literature review

Groin vessels are most commonly used to obtain vascular access for angiography because of their size and accessibility. Haemostasis at the puncture site can be achieved with manual compression alone or by using a vascular closure device. We highlight the case of a 68-year-old woman who developed acute claudication in the right leg after a routine diagnostic coronary angiogram when an Angio-Seal(?) device had been employed to close a relatively low arterial puncture. On exploring the common femoral artery, fragments of the device were found occluding the bifurcation. A patch angioplasty was carried out and the patient's claudicant symptoms improved. The Angio-Seal(?) device has a polylactide and polyglycolide polymer anchor, a collagen plug and a suture contained within a carrier system. Haemostasis is achieved by compressing the arterial puncture site between the anchor and the collagen plug. The manufacturer's recommended criterion for using the device safely permits its use only for common femoral artery punctures with an internal vessel diameter of 4mm. Anatomical confirmation of the puncture site and evidence of any arterial disease or stenosis in the artery is detected on fluoroscopy during the procedure. Recent meta-analyses have cast doubt on the assumption that vascular closure devices are superior to mechanical compression alone and serious complications do occur occasionally but are under-reported. Clinicians should be aware of the potentially serious problems that may occur when deciding to employ vascular closure devices, especially with an anatomically low puncture site.     

Complications associated with the arterial puncture closure device--Angio-Seal

BACKGROUND: Arterial puncture closure devices (APCD) are frequently used after cardiac catheterization. Here, the diagnosis and therapy of femoral artery complications after the use of the Angio-Seal APCD is reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Angio-Seal APCD was deployed in 1600 patients undergoing transfemoral catheterization. RESULTS: In 7 of 1600 cases (0.4%) vascular complications occurred following Angio-Seal deployment. Diagnosis was made by duplex sonography. Intraoperative findings consisted of a complete occlusion with dissection of the femoral artery in all patients. In 6 cases, the femoral bifurcation had to be reconstructed after endarterectomy. Follow-up is complete with a mean of 6 months. CONCLUSION: The Angio-Seal device should not be used for closure of the superficial femoral artery and in patients with severe arteriosclerosis. The application of arteriography as well as the use of ultrasound-guided puncture is advisable. In all cases, surgical intervention was successful and an adequate therapy for management of complications.     

Use of StarClose for brachial artery closure after percutaneous endovascular interventions

The objective of this study was to evaluate a percutaneous extravascular closure device (StarClose, Abbott Vascular, Redwood City, CA) after brachial endovascular approach. From 2004 to 2006, 29 patients received StarClose for brachial closure. Primary endpoints were successful deployment and absence of procedure-related morbidity, secondary endpoints were brachial artery patency on duplex and absence of late (> 30 days) complications. The device was successfully deployed in all patients. In two patients (6.8%) local complications occurred: one patient developed a large hematoma successfully treated with prolonged compression and a second patient presented with brachial artery occlusion requiring operative intervention. After a mean follow-up of 7.5+/-7.2 months, all patients had a palpable brachial/radial pulse; none had signs of infection, distal embolization or neurological deficits. On ultrasound b-mode imaging, the clip was visible as a 4 mm echolucent area at the outer anterior wall of the artery. Based on the peak systolic velocity ratios between the site of StarClose and proximal brachial artery (mean 1.08+/-0.2), none of the studied patients had a significant stenosis at the site of closure. StarClose is safe and effective in providing hemostasis following interventional procedures through the brachial artery; further advantages include patients comfort and early discharge.     

血管闭合器在老年经皮冠状动脉介入治疗患者中应用的安全性和有效性评价

目的评价Angio—Seal及Perclose止血器在老年冠脉介入治疗患者应用的效果及安全性。方法选取984例老年择期冠脉介入患者，分为3组，A组使用Angio—Seal血管闭合器（390例），B组使用Perclose血管闭合器（312例），C组采用徒手压迫法止血（282例），观察三组患者止血时间、卧床制动时间以及并发症的情况。结果A组，B组及C组的止血成功率为98．97％，97．76％，100．00％，差异无统计学显著性意义（P〉0．1）；止血时间分别为（1．2±0．4）min，（2．0±1．2）min和（21．5±5．6）min，卧床制动时间分别为（5．4±1．5）h，（6．5±2．3）h和（20．3±4．2）h，A组和B组明显短于C组（P〈0．05）；血管并发症发生率各组分别为3．60％、5．45％和10．28％，A组和B组亦明显少于C组（P〈0．05）。结论对于70岁以上的老年冠脉介入患者，术后应用Angio-Seal和Perclose血管闭合装置同样安全有效，优于徒手压迫止血法。     

Histologic and duplex comparison of the perclose and angio-seal percutaneous closure devices

The intravascular and extravascular effects of percutaneous closure devices have not been well studied. We assessed the performance and healing characteristics in dogs of two devices approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Nine adult male dogs were anesthesized prior to percutaneous access of both femoral arteries with a 6F sheath. All dogs were systemically heparinized to an activated clotting time (ACT) > 250 seconds. Duplex sonography was performed preoperatively to measure vessel diameter and flow velocity. In each dog, one of two devices (Perclose, Abbot Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL or Angio-Seal, St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN) was randomly deployed into one of the two femoral arteries. The other device was deployed on the opposite side. Duplex sonography was repeated immediately after deployment and 28 days later to measure changes in vessel diameter and flow velocity. At 28 days, angiography was performed on both femoral arteries before they were removed for histologic evaluation. The time required to excise each vessel reflected the degree of scarring. Hemostasis time for the Angio-Seal device far surpassed the Perclose device (39 +/- 7 vs 0 minutes; p < .05). Vessel narrowing was observed only at 28 days after deployment of the Angio-Seal device (p < .05). Extensive extravascular scarring was observed with the Angio-Seal device, which resulted in a longer femoral artery dissection time and greater periadventitial scar thickness compared with the Perclose device (p < .05). When compared with the Perclose suture closure device, the Angio-Seal collagen plug closure device prolonged hemostasis time and produced greater vessel narrowing and periadventitial inflammation (extravascular scarring) in a canine model at 4 weeks.     

Acute claudication caused by Angio-Seal closure devices: a report of four cases

Femoral artery closure devices are increasingly used after percutaneous arterial interventions to obtain hemostasis at the puncture site. Their efficacy and advantages in patient comfort are established. Nevertheless they can cause their own specific complications. In a five month's period we had to treat four patients with sudden onset invalidating claudication after the use of an Angio-Seal closure device. Malpositioning of the device led to the ischemic complications. We describe and illustrate the pre- and peroperative findings and the treatment. Interventionalists should monitor and register ischemic complications following the use of puncture site closure devices in order to try and minimize these. The occurrence of few serious complications can outweigh the relative small benefits these devices offer.     

Surgical complications from hemostatic puncture closure devices

BACKGROUND: For securing immediate hemostasis following percutaneous arterial catheterization, the Food and Drug Administration has approved three hemostatic puncture closure devices. We reviewed our institutional experience with one device (Angio-Seal). METHODS: A retrospective, single-center, nonrandomized observational study was made of all vascular complications following femoral cardiac catheterization. RESULTS: An immediate mechanical failure of the device was experienced in 34 (8%) patients. Surgical repair was required in 1.6% (7 of 425) of patients following Angio-Seal versus 0.3% (5 of 1662) following routine manual compression (P = 0.004). In 5 patients, the device caused either complete occlusion or stenosis of the femoral artery. The polymer anchor embolized in 1 patient and was retrieved with a balloon catheter at surgery. CONCLUSION: During the first year of utilization of a percutaneous hemostatic closure device following cardiac catheterization, we observed a marked increase in arterial occlusive complications requiring surgical repair. Surgeons must be familiar with the design of these devices to achieve precise repair of surgical complications.     

The use of the Angioseal device for femoral artery closure

BACKGROUND: As vascular surgeons perform increasing numbers of percutaneous catheter-based procedures, they will need to become familiar with varying methods of femoral artery closure. Few studies on closure devices have included significant numbers of patients with peripheral arterial disease. It is the purpose of this study to determine whether the Angioseal device (St. Jude Medical) is a satisfactory method of achieving femoral artery puncture site hemostasis in these patients. METHODS: The records of all patients undergoing Angioseal closure of femoral artery puncture by a single vascular surgeon were reviewed. Indication, type of intervention, and size of the vascular sheath employed were recorded. Times to mobilization and discharge were determined. Patients were seen before discharge and 1, 4, and 12 weeks after the procedure, and at 3- month intervals thereafter. Complications including hemorrhage, pseudoaneurysm, infection, and vessel occlusion were noted. RESULTS: Between February 1, 2002, and August 31, 2003, 220 Angioseal collagen plugs were deployed in 188 patients. Attempts were made to deploy Angioseal devices in 92% of patients undergoing percutaneous procedures during this time period. One hundred forty-four procedures were diagnostic and 74 procedures included 76 therapeutic interventions. One hundred forty-four 5F sheaths, 47 6F sheaths, and 29 7F sheaths were employed during the procedures. Time to mobilization and discharge was 58 +/- 19 minutes and 102 +/- 31 minutes in patients undergoing diagnostic studies, 68 +/- 22 minutes and 146 +/- 42 minutes following interventions using 6F sheaths, and 127 +/- 18 minutes and 219 +/- 37 minutes when interventions were performed using 7F sheaths. No patient developed a major hematoma or infection following the use of an Angioseal. There were 2 complications related to device deployment. One patient developed a 1.4-cm false aneurysm at the femoral artery puncture site that resolved spontaneously. A second patient required operation for vessel occlusion when an Angioseal was deployed in a markedly diseased femoral artery. These adverse events occurred early in our experience. CONCLUSIONS: The Angioseal provides a secure method of achieving hemostasis following femoral artery puncture. It is easy to deploy, has a high level of patient satisfaction, and allows for early ambulation and hospital discharge. When simple guidelines are observed, the device can be safely used in the great majority of patients with peripheral vascular disease. It offers considerable advantages over the traditional method of manual compression.     

Carotid artery stenting via a transbrachial artery: techniques and problems

Recently, carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been reported to be an alternative of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis due to the improvement of protection devices. In general, the transfemoral approach has been chosen for CAS because of the sizes of the devices. However, the transfemoral route seems to be unavailable or at high risk, in cases of severe atherosclerotic changes or aneurysm of the femoral, iliac artery or aorta, or after bypass graft placement. In this report, we presented 5 patients who underwent CAS using the transbrachial approach. The mean stenotic rate of 84% before treatment was reduced to 14% after the procedures. The 30-day morbidity and mortality were both 0%. Major local complications at the puncture site were not encountered. There has been no stroke nor death during a mean follow-up period of 6 months. We suggest that CAS via transbrachial route is an effective and safe treatment for ICA stenosis, by use of low-profile devices and bi-plane DSA equipment, especially in patients who are not eligible for the transfemoral access.     

Carotid to subclavian bypass and Amplatzer vascular plug subclavian endovascular occlusion before thoracic open or endovascular repair

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endovascular occlusion of the prevertebral subclavian artery (SA) using an Amplatzer vascular plug after prophylactic revascularization with carotid-subclavian bypass (CSB) in the setting of endovascular thoracic stent grafting or open arch repair with frozen elephant trunk.MethodsAll patients who underwent SA plug embolization (SAPE) and CSB from September 2009 to December 2018 were enrolled in a registered study (SAPE study: clinicaltrials.gov NCT03620006). The primary end point was technical success, defined as complete occlusion of the origin of the SA, and how it was influenced by SA anatomy. The secondary end points were access vessel complications, cerebrovascular events, and CSB patency.ResultsThe 101 SAPE procedures were performed using a type I (35 patients) or a type II (66 patients) Amplatzer vascular plug. A percutaneous ipsilateral upper extremity access was used in 66% of patients and a radial artery access was used in 50% of procedures. The 30-day primary technical success rate was 95% (five patients received an additional plug during the index); five type IC endoleaks were observed and successfully treated either with surgical ligation (in open arch repair procedures) or secondary embolization procedure (thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair group). Three access vessel complications (3%) were recorded with percutaneous brachial approach. At a median follow-up time of 11 months (range, 2-19 months), no new-onset type IC endoleak was observed, and the CSB patency rate was 97%.ConclusionsSAPE after CSB is feasible and safe, and has low incidence of type IC endoleaks. Further device developments are needed to better adapt to the subclavian anatomy.     

Angiographic access site complications in the era of arterial closure devices

Coronary and peripheral angiography is associated with a low but significant risk of access site complications. While percutaneous devices have been shown to permit more rapid puncture site closure, previous reports have suggested the incidence and severity of complications associated with these devices are greater than with manual compression. This study compares access site complications with and without closure devices in the current era. The authors conducted a retrospective review of patients with access site complications after coronary or peripheral angiography between 1998 and 2000. Forty-five complications requiring vascular surgical consultation were identified in the 4,800 procedures performed during this time period. Fourteen complications occurred in 1,536 procedures (0.9%) using suture-mediated or collagen devices and 31 occurred in 3,264 procedures without devices (0.9%). The types of procedures and catheter sizes (mean 7 Fr) used were not different in the 2 groups. Other than complications involving a retained device, there was no difference between device and manual compression with respect to incidence or types of complication,requirement for operation, type of operation, or outcome. Access site complications identified included pseudoaneurysm (n = 22; 49%), bleeding or hematoma (n = 8;18%), arteriovenous fistula (n=5;11%), arterial thrombosis (n = 4;9%), infection (n = 4;9%), and retained device (n = 2;4%). Twenty-four patients (71% vs 45%; p = NS) required operative intervention including pseudoaneurysm repair, hematoma drainage, and thrombectomy. Eleven patients (26%) underwent successful ultra-sound-guided pseudoaneurysm compression and 9 patients (21%) required no intervention. These data demonstrate that closure devices facilitate arterial puncture site repair without an increase in access site complications. These devices can be safely utilized when rapid hemostasis is desired after coronary or peripheral angiography.     

股动脉穿刺介入治疗Angio-Seal血管闭合器应用并发症预测模型的构建与验证

目的 探讨股动脉穿刺后采用Angio-Seal血管闭合器发生并发症的危险因素并建立预测模型,为临床护理提供参考.方法 收集经股动脉入路行介入治疗、采用Angio-Seal血管闭合器的611例患者资料,行单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析并发症危险因素,建立风险预测模型进行验证.结果 体重指数、低分子肝素、鞘管尺寸、...     

模拟器训练在实施股动脉穿刺点ExoSealTM封堵止血系统操作的多中心对照研究

背景与目的：介入手术已成为血管外科的主要治疗手段,对于手术直接相关的股动脉穿刺点封堵处理是手术操作收尾的一个重要环节。鉴于国内外目前尚缺乏关于封堵止血系统模拟器训练应用效果的高级别证据,本研究旨在评估模拟器训练在实施股动脉穿刺点ExoSealTM封堵止血系统操作的临床应用效果以及在血管介入操作基础教学培训中的应用价值。 方法：采用前瞻性对照设计,选择2020年5月—2020年10月7个中心的8名血管介入医师分别用两种不同方式进行封堵操作培训。4名血管介入医师通过阅读ExoSealTM说明书和观看视频进行培训（对照组）,另4名血管介入医师的培训方式为在前者基础上增加专业人员指导下的模拟器使用（研究组）。培训结束后,在主诊医师监管下,每名医师对接受血管介入手术,并在股总动脉使用6 F鞘管的患者,采用ExoSealTM封堵止血系统对穿刺点进行封堵。两组医师各操作50例患者,比较两组的操作时间、出血量、器械成功率、股动脉栓塞发生率、二次干预率、24 h内发生血肿率。 结果：研究组在ExoSealTM封堵止血系统操作中,所需的操作时间和出血量均少于对照组（24.50 s vs. 30.00 s,P=0.003;8.60 mL vs. 11.22 mL,P=0.019）。研究组的器械成功率（98.0%）高于对照组（96.0%）,但差异无统计学意义（P=0.558）。两组均无动脉栓塞、二次干预和24 h内发生血肿情况。 结论：ExoSealTM封堵止血系统模拟器的训练能够提高股动脉封堵的安全性和有效性。该模拟器的训练应常规用于血管介入操作的基础教学培训中。     

肱动脉穿刺术并发症的预防与处理

目的 总结经皮肱动脉穿刺术的临床经验,探讨相关并发症发生的原因及其预防及处理对策.方法 回顾性分析2001年6月至2009年6月因行血管腔内诊疗而接受超声引导下肱动脉穿刺术87例患者的临床资料,总结发生并发症情况及其发生原因.结果 87例患者在超声引导下行肱动脉穿刺术均成功,成功率为100%,其中超声引导下一次穿刺成功有53例(61%),经多次穿刺成功有34例(39%).16例患者(19例次)发生了并发症,并发症发生率为18.4%.其中导丝进入血管周围间隙4例(4.6%),穿刺局部发生血肿11例(12.6%),其中3例合并局部神经损伤(1例为迟发型神经损伤),假性动脉瘤1例(1.2%).结论 熟悉肱动脉穿刺术部位的解剖特点,掌握相应的操作技巧并对其并发症有足够的认识和处理对策的充分准备可以减少并发症及其不良后果的发生.     

Outpatient treatment of arterial inflow stenoses of dysfunctional hemodialysis access fistulas by retrograde venous access puncture and catheterization

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of endovascular treatment of inflow stenoses in arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) through retrograde venous access catheterization. METHODS: We included all 22 dysfunctional AVFs with arterial inflow stenoses at access imaging between January 2002 and September 2006. Following retrograde venous access puncture, an interventional radiologist intended to cross the arteriovenous anastomosis and advance a catheter into the aortic arch. After depiction of the complete vascular access tree, angioplasty and/or stent placement was aimed for stenoses with a >50% luminal diameter reduction at digital subtraction angiography (DSA). RESULTS: In one radiocephalic AVF, a catheter could not be positioned into the aortic arch after retrograde venous access puncture. DSA depicted 28 inflow stenoses in the remaining 21 patients (11 radiocephalic AVFs and 10 brachiocephalic AVFs). Clinical improvement was obtained in 18 out of 19 patients with a technically successful intervention (<30% residual stenosis after angioplasty or stent placement). Following endovascular therapy, access flow of 12 patients with a low flow access improved from 431 +/- 150 ml/min to 818 +/- 233 ml/min, and four patients with steal symptoms became symptom free. One nonmaturing fistula could be salvaged by angioplasty, and access cannulation problems were solved in another patient following angioplasty. Brachial artery stent placement did not reduce steal symptoms in one case, whereas two patients, in whom stent placement was not thought desirable, showed a >30% residual arterial stenosis after angioplasty. No complications were observed at DSA and endovascular intervention. CONCLUSION: Retrograde venous access puncture and catheterization, as an alternative to a potentially more hazardous brachial artery or more invasive femoral artery approach, should be considered for the visualization of the arterial inflow and endovascular treatment of inflow stenoses.     

Ultrasound guided puncture of the brachial artery for haemodialysis fistula angiography.

BACKGROUND: Arterio-venous (a-v) fistulae of haemodialysis patients frequently require function assessment by angiography. The purpose of the present study was to determine the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided transbrachial catheterization when a-v fistulae were evaluated. METHODS: Between July 1996 and December 1997, 208 dialysis patients, whose a-v fistulae (arterial inflow < 50 ml/min or venous pressure > 150 mm Hg in three consecutive HD sessions) were at the wrist or elbow, underwent transbrachial angiography using an ultrasound-guided 20-gauge IA needle to evaluate fistula function. Procedure-related symptoms or complications were noted in 28 patients and these were analysed. RESULTS: No apparent cases of vessel spasm or thrombosis were noted. Reported symptoms in 28 patients (13.5%) included local arm pain (3.3%), transient paresthesia (0.9%), mild ecchymosis (10.6%) and haematoma (0.9%). All complications were minor and none required surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided puncture of the brachial artery is a safe, reliable and effective procedure in skilled hands and should be the preferred means of catheterization whenever haemodialysis angiography is performed.     

From puncture to closure of the common femoral artery in endovascular aortic repair

In all fields of surgery there is a trend towards less invasive procedures reducing hospital stay, complications and mortality. Open surgery in the treatment of aortic diseases is gradually less applied, and instead endovascular aortic repair - EVAR - is a widely accepted treatment modality of today. The traditional approach in EVAR involves surgical exposure of the femoral arteries with bilateral groin incisions. Through the groin access, and under fluoroscopy, a special insertion sheath introducer is used to position a stent graft in the desired location with the patient in general or epidural anesthesia. The evolving stent-technology with smaller sheath sizes has broadened the scenario for alternative approaches for access and closure of the common femoral arteries. The following review presents an introduction on technical aspects of puncture of the femoral artery and closure of the arterial wall using percutaneous closure devices. We also aim to discuss three important approaches to expose and close the femoral arteries during endovascular aortic repair: The cut down approach, the true percutaneous technique, and the femoral fascial closure. Finally, factors important in the choice of techniques will be discussed in relation to early and late complications. We suggest that a percutaneous femoral approach should initially be considered for all endovascular aortic procedures, but with a low threshold to convert to traditional cut-down technique when complications such as bleeding, stenosis, ischemia, or femoral artery injury occur. The choice of the optimal femoral approach depends on the unique anatomy of each patient.     

A novel access method for endovascular procedures in the porcine model

Objective To evaluate the use of the saphenous artery as an alternative access for endovascular procedures in the porcine model. Methods Fourteen adult pigs (25-35kg) were used in this study, 3 pigs from an acute study and 11 from chronic studies. A 2-3 cm incision was made and a saphenous artery cutdown was performed in 24 sides. Micropunc ture sets (Boston Scientific) or 18 G puncture needles were used to access the artery. Different sizes of introducers (4-7F) were used to establish endovascular access. Angiographic catheters were then used to confirm if the access was usable. Four saphenous arteries were explanted in the pigs from a chronic study 4 to 28 days after surgical procedure. Results The saphenous artery was very easy to expose and 4-5 F introducer sheaths were able to be inserted to establish access for endovascular procedures in the pigs. The saphenous artery was unable to accomodate an introducer with a size larger than 6 F. Four saphenous arteries were injured when 5 and 6 F introducers were used, but angiographic procedures could still be performed. Morphologic evaluation of the explanted arteries demonstrated occlusion of the saphenous arteries without injury or disruption of the adjacent femoral arteries. Conclusion The saphenous artery can be used as an access site in pigs for angiographic and interventional procedures if the catheter size is less than 6 F. This vessel is easier to access and can preserve the femoral artery for repeat procedures in the future.     

经腹小切口超声引导系膜穿刺逆向开通治疗肠系膜上动脉开口全堵病变

背景与目的：对于肠系膜上动脉（SMA）闭塞患者,尤其是存在开口处动脉粥样硬化性无残端病变,开腹逆行肠系膜动脉支架置入术（ROMS）是一种有效的治疗方法,但该手术创伤较大,一些身体条件差的患者并不适合。笔者通过报告1例SMA全堵病变病例的治疗过程介绍一种改良的微创ROMS技术,以期为临床治疗方法的选择提供参考。 方法：回顾复旦大学附属中山医院厦门医院血管外科2019年10月收治的1例SMA全堵病变患者的临床资料。患者为64岁女性,诊断为SMA闭塞引起的慢性肠系膜缺血,行杂交手术再通SMA。 结果：患者SMA开口处为无残端完全闭塞病变且无侧支血管与腹腔干动脉及脾动脉沟通,顺行或逆行血管腔内开通均无法进行。因患者全身条件较差,难以耐受开放血运重建手术和传统的ROMS。遂做腹部做小切口,超声引导下经系膜穿刺SMA远端建立通路,导丝顺利逆向通过SMA闭塞处进入降主动脉;右侧肱动脉入路导管和逆向导丝对接后顺利正向通过病变,完成球囊扩张和支架置入术。术后患者恢复良好,症状消失,3个月后随访CTA示,支架形态、位置良好,血流通畅。 结论：对于血管腔内治疗失败且全身条件较差的SMA闭塞患者,通过经腹小切口超声引导系膜穿刺逆向开通SMA是可行的。     

Perioperative adverse events in percutaneous versus open brachial access

ObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to compare the incidence of complications at the access site after percutaneous brachial access (PBA) and open brachial access (OBA) in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease.MethodsFrom November 2016 to November 2021, all patients who had undergone peripheral artery revascularization with brachial access were included. The primary outcome was the 30-day rate of postoperative complications at the access site. The complications included hematoma, arteriovenous fistula, and pseudoaneurysms that had resulted in prolonged hospitalization and/or reintervention.ResultsOverall, 259 procedures with brachial access had been performed (PBA, n = 101; OBA, n = 158). The baseline clinical and demographic characteristics were well-balanced between the two groups. The sheath size was larger for the OBA procedures. Complications had occurred in 11 of 101 patients (11.1%) in the PBA group and 5 of 158 patients (3.2%) in the OBA group (P = .01). The mean duration of the procedure was significantly shorter for the PBA group (73.5 ± 46.5 minutes vs 101.2 ± 60.8 minutes; P = .0001).ConclusionsFor patients who had undergone brachial access for peripheral vascular disease, the rate of access site-related complications was significantly lower for the patients who had undergone open access compared with that for the patients who had undergone percutaneous access.