Suture-mediated closure of the femoral access site after cardiac catheterization: results of the suture to ambulate aNd discharge (STAND I and STAND II) trials

Despite advances in other aspects of cardiac catheterization, manual or mechanical compression followed by 4 to 8 hours of bed rest remains the mainstay of postprocedural femoral access site management. Suture-mediated closure may prove to be an effective alternative, offering earlier sheath removal and ambulation, and potentially a reduction in hemorrhagic complications. The Suture To Ambulate aNd Discharge trial (STAND I) evaluated the 6Fr Techstar device in 200 patients undergoing diagnostic procedures, with successful hemostasis achieved in 99% of patients (94% with suture closure only) in a median of 13 minutes, and 1% major complications. STAND II randomized 515 patients undergoing diagnostic or interventional procedures to use of the 8Fr or 10Fr Prostar-Plus device versus traditional compression. Successful suture-mediated hemostasis was achieved in 97.6% of patients (91.2% by the device alone) compared with 98.9% of patients with compression (p = NS). Major complication rates were 2.4% and 1.1%, and met the Blackwelder's test for equivalency (p <0.05). Median time to hemostasis (19 vs 243 minutes, p <0.01) and time to ambulation (3.9 vs 14.8 hours, p <0.01) were significantly shorter for suture-mediated closure. Suture-mediated closure of the arterial puncture site thus affords reliable immediate hemostasis and shortens the time to ambulation without significantly increasing the risk of local complications.