Safety and Efficacy of Angio-Seal Closure in Antegrade Superficial Femoral Artery Access

Abstract

Objective: Arterial access for endovascular revascularization in patients with debilitating peripheral arterial disease is commonly achieved through retrograde common femoral artery (CFA) approach. However, retrograde access presents multiple technical challenges, including long distance from the access site to the target lesion, and mechanical disadvantage of working over the aortic bifurcation and often tortuous iliac vessels. Antegrade CFA access avoids these challenges but has been fraught with its own difficulties, particularly in obese patients. Antegrade superficial femoral artery (SFA) access provides the same mechanical advantages while avoiding the difficulties of antegrade CFA access, but a vascular closure device is required due to distance from the femoral head. This single-center study evaluates the safety and efficacy of the Angio-Seal device (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN) in SFA punctures. Materials and Methods: From May 2011 to January 2015, 140 antegrade SFA punctures were performed on 110 limbs in 88 patients for endovascular revascularization, all with ultrasound guidance. Complications and patient data including age, sex, body mass index, Fontaine stage, sheath size, and intraoperative heparin doses were analyzed. Results: In 140 antegrade SFA punctures, there were 11 access-related complications (7.9%). The majority were hematomas or pseudoaneurysms requiring nominal or no therapy. There were 3 major complications: Two delayed access stenoses ultimately resulted in toe amputations and one hemorrhage required extended hospitalization and transfusion. Patient data analysis showed a statistically significantly increased complication rate in females (20.7%) versus males (4.5%) (p = 0.0105). Conclusions: Antegrade SFA access with Angio-Seal closure is safe and effective. An increased complication rate in females warrants cautious post-procedural follow-up.