Management of the Arterial Puncture Site

With more complex interventional procedures, such as intracoronary stent placement, there is a higher incidence of procedural related peripheral vascular complications including pseudoaneurysm and hemorrhage. In these procedures, the amount of anticoagulation as well as the use of thrombolytic agents intraprocedurally increases the risk of complication. Meticulous care during vascular access, careful use and monitoring of anticoagulation, and patient selection are helpful in reducing the risk. Newer vascular hemostatic devices utilizing biodegradable collagen plugs might be of advantage since they allow early sheath removal without interrupting anticoagulation and, therefore, early ambulation. However, it remains to be determined, whether these devices are effective in reducing complications, duration of bed rest and hospitalization, or improvement of stent patency. Newer designs, e.g., coated or biodegradable stents, or different deployment strategies might reduce the need of anticoagulation and lower the risk of peripheral vascular complications.