Management of acute lower limb ischemia associated with the Angio-Seal arterial puncture closing device

Arterial percutaneous closure devices (APCD) could lead to severe vascular complications, like acute lower limb ischemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively our personal series of acute lower limb ischemia following the use of APCD. From January 2004 to June 2009 the Angio-Seal percutaneous closure devices was deployed in 198 patients. Eight (4%) acute lower limb ischemia required urgent surgical repair. The device was removed in all cases. A thromboembolectomy was performed in five patients (62.5%) and in three (37.5%) an endarterectomy with patch closure was carried out (two saphenous vein and one Dacron). Limb salvage rate was 87.5%. We compared Angio-Seal complications group (A) with the 190 patients in which the Angio-Seal was successfully used without complications (group B) by means of Student's t-test. At 36-month follow-up with color-coded duplex ultrasounds, no chronic limb ischemia or other complications requiring surgical repair occurred. Diabetes, obesity, severe femoral atherosclerotic involvement, use of sheath size >7 Fr and time-consuming procedures were significant risk factors for ischemic APCD complications. Despite vascular injuries being uncommon after APCD deployment, generally a complex surgical repair is necessary. A more careful patient selection would be advisable.