ABSTRACT
Percutaneous transluminal procedures are associated with a considerable risk of access site complications.1,2 Although life-threatening complications rarely occur after routine percutaneous vascular approaches, a 1 to 6% incidence of hematoma, pseudoaneurysms, or arteriovenous (AV) fistulas is reported after coronary and peripheral procedures,2-4 and 20 to 40% of these patients require surgical repair.5,6 In particular, the widespread use of aggressive platelet inhibition tends to increase the frequency of complications at the vascular access site,7-9 and lead to considerable morbidity and costs due to prolongation of the hospital stay.10 Optimization of access site management after percutaneous transluminal procedures is thus recognized as a matter of immediate clinical importance.11
